“Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room”

personal/ministry resource from Crosswalk
Bonita Lillie, P31 She Speaks Conference Graduate



Key Verse:

Luke 2:6-7, "While she was there, the time came for the baby to be
born, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in
clothes and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them
in the inn. (NIV)



Devotion:
No room in the inn? As a former maternity nurse, I can't imagine such
a thing. No matter how full the hospital might be, we could always
find one more bed for a woman giving birth. Yet, when our Savior was
about to appear the world hung out a "no vacancy" sign, refusing to
welcome Him. I could easily condemn those folks, except for the fact
that I did the exact same thing one year.



It was one of those years, the kind loaded with heartache and trials,
the kind we would rather forget. After a long arduous year, I found
myself completely lacking in Christmas spirit. I didn't want to
decorate or get a tree; my daughter did those things. I wouldn't
bake cookies or sing carols. Even buying gifts didn't arouse the
usual thrill. I was numb. I really just wanted Christmas to come and
go and be done with it.



One morning as I sat gazing at the Christmas tree I wondered why I
felt this way. Gently, the Lord spoke to my heart, "You have no room
in your heart for me." I softly cried as one by one, the Lord
revealed the ugly things filling up the chambers of my heart, keeping
Christ at bay:



Busyness - Can't we all relate to this one? Life can become so busy
and crowded. That year I was a full time wife, full time mom, full
time homemaker, full time homeschool teacher, part time nurse, part
time writing instructor, and so much more. All of these things
crowded in, crowding Jesus out. My life became one big "to do" list
and I lived my list, by not my life.



Anger, bitterness, and disappointment - We experienced the kiss of
Judas that year, as a dear friend betrayed us, resulting in a major
financial setback. My trust in fellow Christians was shattered.
Unfortunately, I closed the door to the trusting part of my heart,
padlocked it, and refused to let anyone in, not even Jesus.



Pain and sorrow - Matthew 16:24 says: "If anyone would come after me,
he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." I learned
what that meant that year as one by one I nailed my dreams to a cross
and watched them die. Then I shut the door to the morgue and said,
"No new dreams, Jesus."



Doubt and unbelief - At some point, faith and hope packed up and left,
leaving behind two unwelcome twins, doubt and unbelief. They are
unpleasant guests as they constantly scream, "Will things ever get
better?"



Selfishness and self-pity - I didn't realize how much room I occupied
in my heart until I had to exchange my will for they will. Ouch!
Suddenly, life became all about preserving me, forget opening my heart
to others.



That Christmas I served some eviction notices to those things in my
heart that kept me from God. Now I want the Lord to fill not only a
room of my heart, but the whole thing, every nook, cranny, and
crevice.



How about you? Is there room in your inn for Jesus? He doesn't
require fancy accommodations. He's just looking for the welcome mat.
Let every heart prepare Him room!



Prayer for Today:

Father, forgive me for becoming so entangled with the world that I
miss out on You. Help me, Lord, to squarely face and submit to You
the problems that keep me from enjoying Your wonderful presence. Fill
my heart with Your life giving spirit. In Jesus' Name, Amen.