When Key and Lock Just Simply Don't Work

Locks and keys have been around for a long time. There are many kinds of locks. They prevent people from freely getting in and out. Locks define accessible space. They guard space and all that it contains.



Did you know that many biological processes function via lock-key principle? That's so amazing. Lock-and-key one of the best ways that illustrates complementary principles. Lock needs a key in order to be unlocked. In some cases the latch will do it.
Lock has to stay still after the key is out. It's key that does the job by turning and twisting.
There are cases of lock tampering, where someone tries to break the lock or open it with something that is not meant for the lock. If the lock succumbs, it will break.
Bible tells us to guard our hearts.

Proverbs 4:23 "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."

Our hearts are so important to God because whatever we have inside our hearts--good or bad-- will eventually come out. Our true nature lies within our hearts. We can put on mask to deceive people around us. God sees the heart.
In many cases whatever is in our hearts will come out of the mouth. Sometimes we have to be quiet. Harsh words can destroy relationships.

Proverbs 13:3 "Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin."

There is a great war for the hearts of people. We often keep our hearts locked. God and Satan--both unlocking the hearts. There is a difference in how they do that. God's key is love. Satan's keys: self-destruction, death, flesh gratification--basically anything that leads us away from the soul salvation: God our creator.
In many cases the wrong key will not open the lock, but it will break it. I have seen locks with parts of keys stuck in. In other cases the lock will succumb and the door will be opened. In most cases when the door is opened not the way it meant to be, the lock cannot be used any longer--broken lock.
Many times locks just wear off. It starts with signs: harder to turn key in, noises that re strange, hard to push key in, and soon you cannot either lock or unlock the door.
Many years ago--when I lived in Russia-- I came back from school and inserted the key. I was able to turn it freely, but the door didn't open. From the outside it seemed fine. It was broken on the inside.
How ironic is that--there are so many cases: families, marriages, jobs, ministries, outreaches and other endeavors where everything looks fine or even well-run, but to no avail. The results of key turning is nothing.
Key has simple design in comparison to lock-- just one piece. But it's the piece that has to do the work. Otherwise the lock will not open properly. Each key is designed for a certain lock. There are some keys which can open multiple locks--master keys. People don't use master key that often.
There are many kinds of keys: metal, plastic, codes, passwords, scanning keys, and so on.
Sometimes key needed to be lubricated otherwise it might not be able to do the job.
Few months ago I was in a hurry to get to one of my classes. I couldn't insert the key in a lock. By the grace of God I was able to find a maintenance. The problem was simple--not enough oil. And I thought that the lock was broken.

Real Life Application

Lock-and-Key principle illustrates some real life relationships. Working on a project can be compared to key-lock interaction. Project itself is like a lock, or a puzzle and a person solving it is like a key. When we stuck in a certain situation, we have to assess and evaluate the situation itself: examine the lock. Lock can be dysfunctional in so many ways. It can be a minor or  major thing.
No matter how hard you try--sometimes--you cannot resolve the issue until the situation changes. In some cases you have to change the approach to a certain situation.
And in some cases you might not be even the right person to solve the situation--the right key to a lock. So many times I tried to help someone and I wasn't able to help. Put the key that fits. But in some cases key needs to be turned in more than once.
Many problems require step-wise solution. Just like a patient who needs multiple doses of medication.
I have seen cases where we act as locks when we should be keys. And we are being keys when we are locks. I personally believe that we need to distinguish when to be locks and when to be keys. This will lead us to effectiveness in all areas of oour lives.