I often think of the innkeeper who when Mary and Joseph arrived at his door chose to turn them away with a “no room here” sign. He didn’t make room for Jesus on the first Christmas, and as a result he missed the privilege of housing the Son of God at his birth. His actions didn’t stop Jesus from being born, or God’s purpose being fulfilled in history. But the innkeeper’s choice and actions did prevent him from being in the midst of one of, if not the most significant moments in history up to that point. He missed it, simply because He wasn’t aware enough of what was happening right in front of him; he wasn’t reading the signs as the wise men were, that a King was about to be born; nor had he noticed anything different about the young couple standing on his doorstep on that Christmas night.
Sadly we far too often live as the innkeeper did, unaware of the times and seasons, and what God is doing in our midst. We get caught up in the day-to-day business of life, and all the hustle and bustle around us. Unfortunately when we are satisfied with living in such a way, where as a whole we can’t even remember what all the fuss and bother is about half the time, our lives will be filled with meaningless activity. Just like the innkeeper we perhaps don’t believe we need more “guests” in our life, and we think we have everything we need.
However God warns us not to be so self-sufficient, or always so busy chasing after other things that we forget Him. “In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God”. (Psalm 10:4)
This Christmas take a moment to think upon the story of the innkeeper who turned away Mary and Joseph, and failed to make room on that first Christmas. Don’t let your story be the same, and fail to make room for Jesus in your life, and get to know Him. Don’t miss the opportunity to have the peace, purpose and indwelling power that comes through having God in your life. Because if we never do take the time or opportunity, we could well miss the very purpose for us being here in the first place. We could miss the times and the seasons, and what God is releasing on earth right now.
You might think you have a good life now, much like that innkeeper thought he was having a good night. His rooms were all full, the cash was flowing, and everything looked great. But what if you could have an ever better life; a more meaningful, purposeful, peace filled, joyful life; wouldn’t you want to know about it? Wouldn’t that innkeeper and his family have made it possible for Jesus to be born in their inn, if they had discerned what was about to happen in their neighbourhood? (Luke 2:7)
Each one of us is born for such a time as this, to be involved and participants in the unfolding of God’s plan and purpose for the world in our lifetime. Don’t miss it, because you didn’t bother to discern the times we are in; and don’t miss the opportunity to know God, the Creator of the universe because you are so busy filling your life with other things.
Jesus said, ”Listen! I am standing and knocking at your door. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and we will eat together”. (Revelation 3:20)
Make room in your “inn” today, and invite Jesus into your life. And when you do, don’t relegate him to the back shed, or barn, but give him the run of your house, and keep making Him feel welcome with your whole heart, everyday, in every area of your life. For only then will you discover the purpose, peace and power that comes through knowing Him.
Prayer: Jesus, I make room in my life for you today. I hear you knocking and I invite you in. Forgive me if I have heard you before and answered, but then relegated you to the back shed. Forgive me if instead of welcoming you into my “house”, and making you feel welcome everywhere and in every way, I chose to push you to the side. Today I choose to open every area of my life to you, and to welcome you into my life with my whole heart. In Jesus Name Amen.
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