In the midst of the busyness of the season, we can still choose to make room for Jesus.
I recently read a post from Max Lucado where he focused on the inn keeper in Bethlehem when Joseph and Mary, his very pregnant wife, were looking for a place to stay for the night. He missed a personal encounter with Jesus, likely not because he was evil, but because he was busy.
This man could have had a front seat to the Divine becoming one of us, but he missed it because his focus was elsewhere. He had the opportunity to serve the living God right where he was, doing his current occupation. He wouldn’t have had to leave his home or job or even learn to speak eloquently. He could have shared what he had, but he didn’t.
We don’t know his name, but we all know this particular chapter of his story.
Lucado has a way of focusing on the nameless folks in the Bible that end up showing up over and over again, even without names. He once wrote about the person who owned the donkey that Jesus rode on in the Triumphal Entry.
In Matthew 21:1-3 Jesus said, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”
We never learn the donkey owner’s name, but we all know his story too. He said yes, when Jesus asked.
Notice how certain Jesus was of the donkey owner’s reaction? I can’t help but wonder if Jesus is that certain of my reaction when He asks something of me to be used for kingdom work.
Do I tend to be more like the inn keeper or the donkey owner?
As Christmas draws near, it seems like a great time to reflect upon the space in our own hearts. We still have the opportunity to make room for Jesus. Even thought we are living through a busy and sometimes stressful season, the invitation still remains.
Advent reminds us that it doesn’t matter whether or not people will remember our choices and names because God will. We can intentionally choose to be like the inn keeper or the donkey owner.
Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you do too!
Have an awesome day and a Merry Christmas! I will be spending time with family and will not be posting over the holidays. I hope to see you back in this space in the New Year.
Wendy 🙂