Some doors are open, some are closed, and some are locked. Some have automatic openers. These provide the greatest convenience in that you don’t even have to push on them or turn a doorknob. Do you believe that I can provide guidance to you by opening and closing doors? I will make your way clear by opening the right pathway and closing the wrong one. Yet as in the case of doors with automatic openers, they don’t open until you approach them. If you would receive guidance from me you need to be active and keep moving. I may wait until you walk toward the right door to open it for you. 

My word identifies evangelists and teachers as specific offices. Yet my commission to every believer is to preach the good news of the gospel to every creature and to make disciples of all men. Do you need an office or a title to do this? If that were the case I would not have directed this to every believer. It is not necessary for you to be able to answer every question of theology for you to do this job effectively. You understand the value of increasing your knowledge and experience, but in the moment you use what you have. I have not left you to do this on your own. The Holy Spirit goes before you to make your words effective in declaring my name. 

Do you find that everyone likes to talk about themselves and is eager to share their stories? So do you. Yet you find many of their stories to be boring, and perhaps they feel the same way about yours. Accounts that only pertain to an individual do not engage an audience. You hear from me according to my promise that my sheep hear my voice, and you can elevate the level of conversation you engage in by sharing with others what I say to you. My words are spirit and life. They have a universal and enduring quality even if spoken to an individual. Share them to give transcendent meaning to everyday conversation. 

Do you think of self-esteem as something essential? How does your opinion of yourself compare to that which others say about you? Even as David was being heralded as the one who slew ten thousands of the enemy he said of himself that he was the least of his brothers. John the Baptist said that he must decrease even as I said that he was greatest of those born of women. I referred to myself as the Son of Man when I could have claimed the title Son of God. Let another praise thee and not thyself. When you choose to humble yourself before me I can use you for great things and exalt you in due time.