We were singing Joy to the World….it was an updated arrangement (which sounded great) and it seemed to announce that Christmas was here. Nothing brings the feeling of Christmas quite like a traditional carol during church. With the drums, guitars, keys and great vocals leading the way we were belting out the familiar words when I was brought up short by one line: Let every heart prepare Him room.
That line in the song always conjured up images of Mary and Joseph looking for lodging. I had always equated it with opening your heart to receive God’s gift of Jesus and the salvation He offered. Now all of a sudden it was more than that. I had already opened my heart, I already made room for Him. Why was that line tugging at me? It wasn’t part of a world-wide campaign to keep Christ in Christmas, it was a special moment between the Holy Spirit and me – and He wasn’t just talking about the Christmas season.
How often do I rush my time in prayer and reading the Word? Do I shortchange Jesus and figure He’ll understand if I can’t put time into our relationship? Do I talk to Him more when I’m in trouble than when things are smooth sailing? Do I say ‘please’ more often than I say ‘thank you’? Do I make room only when it’s convenient? Do I take care to prepare space for Him or just assume since He loves me I can be a slacker?
Perhaps preparing room for Him is just the beginning. Spending time with Him is the next step. Trusting Him is another. Listening to Him brings an even greater dimension to life and obeying Him brings us full circle. Accepting the gift of salvation is the start, but there’s a great journey after that. I need to be intentional in my pursuit of Jesus and not just assume because He is a good God who loves me anything less is OK.
There’s no time like a new year to evaluate our priorities. I want to know I have made room for Christ in my every day living. I don’t want to prepare a room only to close the door and not enter it again all year. I want to experience the wonders of His love and sing with confidence all year long!
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you….. James 4:8
JOY TO THE WORLD THE LORD IS COME, LET EARTH RECEIVE HER KING!
LET EVERY HEART PREPARE HIM ROOM
AND HEAVEN AND NATURE SING AND HEAVEN AND NATURE SING
AND HEAVEN AND HEAVEN AND NATURE SING!
JEV 
good stuff! I can relate!