“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
(Isaiah 9:6 NIV)
One night over 2000 years ago hope came to the little town of Bethlehem. It didn’t come commanding a chariot, it didn’t come with royal fanfare, nor with fine linens. But a meager start, the most humble beginnings in a manger, in a simple dark hole in a rock God stepped into human history.
But you know the story, the tale of the inn keeper who did not have room at the inn for the unassuming couple prepping for childbirth.
The innkeepers unavailability didn’t stop God, in fact it was clearly part of His plan.
I wonder though… What if you were that inn keeper? Can you imagine having the chance to host God and turning Him down. I can’t imagine that he knew the truth of that opportunity. Who, knowing that the living God almighty is at their door, would refuse such a request.
I know I would find a place. I would have to let go of a guest and send them on their way. I would even like to think that I would offer up my bed and take the floor, simply to know that I was able to be a part of the coming of Jesus.
But we weren’t there. We r here.
And Jesus is no longer a baby but a savior, ressurected with our victory tattooed on his back in blood.
If that is not enough good news. Get this…
We ARE that innkeeper.
Jesus tells us,
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” (Revelation 3:20 NIV)
Lets make room for the Lord today. Don’t make him blow out his candles on your doorstep as you enjoy his party.
Maybe you’ve allowed him in but have you given him the run of the house? He came not only to save, but to take over.
He is not a copilot, but a navigator.
Not your homeboy, but your captain.
Came down to be the King of all, including our days.
Our days are full! Our days are fast! Our days are few!!
“we don’t need more hours in the day, we need to decide.” ~Seth Godin
Imagine a jar filled with five large Rocks, then a sprinkling of pebbles, then sand and then water. Each of the contents are diffirent tasks and the jar is a lot like our days, full.
However, if these don’t get into the jar in the right order they don’t all make it in and what is lost is often bigger than what made it in.
Putting all the water in, then the sand, then the pebbles would make it near impossible to fit the rocks. The rocks represent our biggest priorities.
They must get into our day’s plan first.
As this year closes, let’s look at our decisions.
I challenge us all to list all of our priorities big and small.
Then narrow it to our top 5.
Make a plan that includes those in our days first.
Then try and find room for the next five, and so on.
Know this… Something might have to go.
Just try not to throw the baby out with the bath water.
After all it’s his birthday.
Keep Christ not only in CHRISTMAS but give him a permanent place in your inn.