Truth to be told, I'm about three days behind in The Christ of Christmas, which I'm using for my advent reading. No good excuse, just too busy with a kitchen remodel project and work deadlines.
Normally, I start the day with God, both devotions and prayer. But today I got up early and walked with a friend. I had to be at work by 7:30 and didn't have time for God. My solution was to take my devotional with me, so I could take a moment after getting a meeting room ready. I do know if I don't have God in the day, my heart feels lonely for time with Him, so I decided to "fit" Him in my schedule.
The Bible reading was from Luke 2:4-7, where we hear how it was time for Jesus to be born, but there was no place for Him--no room at the Inn. It hit me then, that this was me. I've been so caught up in the daily grind, that there is "no room" for Him. Oh sure, I know He's there, but I'm fitting Him in my schedule, instead of fitting my schedule to Him. How many more of us are there right now, and maybe even everyday, who have no room for Him. No room for Jesus to transform us into His love?
A paragraph from the devotion for December 16:
We often look for Him in the roar and the trumpet, in the earthquake and the fire. Then we discover that He came to earth in a way that was most beautiful: He walked through our midst in felted fields and whispered to a few people that He was in the neighborhood.Is that me, I wonder? Do people know God's in my neighborhood? Are my neighbors seeing God made flesh in me? That's what we are, isn't it? We have these human bodies, and God has promised to tabernacle with us, to live in our hearts. Is my flesh reflecting God's glory to my neighbors?
Another paragraph:
Most of Bethlehem didn't know God was in town. Some people there may still not know it or at least not think much of it. Sometimes God comes so quietly, you have to listen closely to know He's even there.I wonder if people know God is in town when they visit with me?
My wish would be that I become a person that does provide a "room" for everyone who crosses my path, and that they recognize God is living in me. I love the prayer that ends Day 16:
May my life bring Christ quietly into the circle of human need so those who need You will not be frightened by Your presence but enveloped in it.As good a way to end the day, as to start it!
