And she gave birth to her Son, her Firstborn; and she wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room or place for them in the inn. – Luke 2:7
If I had to give an honest assessment, I too would have responded like the Inn Keepers in Bethlehem. Similar to a vacation destination during Spring Break Week, the Roman Census quickly filled up all available accommodations. Thus, the poor, unprepared and those stuck in traffic scrambled around like a male shopping for presents on Christmas Eve. Only 1 person, a good Samaritan type, made room for Mary and Joseph.
In this day and age, distractions abound, pulling individuals in all sorts of directions. Subsequently, scheduling time for God is usually the first to get cut or limited to a brief glance of a verse or two and a lame prayer. Despite the lulls that may occur in a car, at home or during work, exhaustion keeps many from developing and or maintaining a healthy relationship with Jesus. As I evaluate my 2014 calendar, I’m afraid I fit into Jesus’ harsh criticism of those follow the Lord with their lips, but not with their actions.
Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers! – Matthew 7:21-23
If you too find yourself in this predicament, perhaps its time for an extreme spiritual make-over. Philippians 2:12 suggests to begin working out your salvation with fear and trembling. Solomon agrees, as fearing God in the beginning of knowledge, Proverbs 1:7. When you allow the Holy Spirit to “Pump You Up,” missed opportunities of the past can lead to pivot points along your faith journey, Colossians 4:5. In the end, make room for Jesus, whatever the cost, Matthew 16:24-27 so that one day you will hear from the King himself, “well done my good and faithful servant!”- Matthew 25:23
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 