God the Gentleman: Why Inviting Him In Changes Everything

God is such a gentleman. He’s always opening doors for me.

You may have seen this popular picture floating around a few years ago. God, depicted as a gentleman, opening doors in our lives. The idea is that He makes a way and ensures things happen for us. While I love the truth that God really does open doors and makes a way for us, I want us to look a little deeper at this picture.

I know it's weird to call God a gentleman, but there is one attribute of God that a true gentleman possesses.

Patience.

The Perfect Gentleman

Patience is one of the truest marks of a gentleman. And if there’s anyone who embodies patience perfectly, it’s God. Sometimes I think He’s too patient (at least from my perspective), but then I remember—He’s the Creator of the universe. He’s seen it all. He knows how the story ends. So He can afford to wait us out.

Scripture is full of examples where people tried to derail His plan, yet nothing could stop what He had set in motion. One story that always comes to mind is Jacob’s journey with God and his dealings with Laban.

The Life of Jacob- In Brief

Jacob left home suddenly, carrying little with him after a family conflict. Alone in the desert, he had an encounter with God, a turning point where he invited God into his life (Genesis 28:10–22). From there, things began to unfold: he found his mother’s people, married (twice – one by deceit, the other by choice), and began building a family. Soon, he had twelve children and was working for his father-in-law, Laban.

When Jacob decided it was time to leave, Laban struck a deal that looked good on the surface but was actually designed to cheat him. Still, because Jacob had already invited God into his situation, God’s promise prevailed. Jacob grew in wealth while Laban’s schemes failed.

Here’s the point: life, people, and circumstances may try to shut doors in your face. But when you invite God in, He is the Gentleman who opens doors that no one can close. And when He opens them, He doesn’t just crack them ajar; He flings them wide so that blessings overflow, often impacting generations.

Take Jacob as an example again. Laban’s trickery led Jacob to marry Leah, and from Leah’s son, Judah, came the lineage of Jesus. What looked like deception turned into destiny. That’s God’s ability to make all things work together for good.

Send the Invitation, Now!

But here’s something important: don’t just wait until everything falls apart before inviting God in. People sometimes believe that God allows you to go through the hard times and cause you to reach your limit before He steps in. I used to believe that as well, but not anymore. I believe God steps in when we reach our end because that's when we invite Him. That’s when we cry out, and of course, He steps in. But imagine what would happen if we invited Him early, before the crisis, before the scrambling.

God is powerful, yes, but He is also patient. He won’t force His way in where He hasn’t been welcomed. That’s what makes Him the perfect Gentleman.

So before you blame God for a tough situation, ask yourself: Have I truly invited Him in? Am I following His instructions? And if I have, am I willing to wait in faith until the promise comes to pass?

Jacob held on to God’s promise for 20 years before he saw its fulfillment. Laban tried to stop him, but in the end, he only helped bring God’s plan to life. That’s the beauty of trusting a God who always keeps His word.

Don’t wait until you’re at your wits’ end. You’ll face hard things in life, but facing them with God is always better than without Him.

The choice is yours.

It starts with an invitation.

So go ahead - invite Him in. And let Him help you.

I love you,

Oyin.