The Church of Saint Anne Garden Roses | Jerusalem, Israel | Contax 645 , Fujifilm Pro 400h 120
Let every heart prepare Him room...
How do you prepare for such a thing?
This holiday season has been no different than the others. Filled to the brim with so many things. And while I was following along on a multitude of Advent devotionals trying my hardest to stay grounded and focused this Christmastime, my thoughts were constantly running off time and time again. Always back again and again to me. How do I feel physically? (I’m nursing a cold, thanks for asking.) How do I feel emotionally? (I’m nursing the normal emotional ailments that come with the season of “too full” and “too empty”, “too much” and “to little” all at the same time, thanks for asking.) All day everyday I stay firmly in the circle of self focus from things as big as a sweet memory of my dad that brings tears to my eyes to as small as how this traffic is going to make me late (who am I kidding, it was myself that made me late).
How is there any room for Him with so much of me in my thoughts and heart?
As I settled in to relax one night I prayed, “Dear Lord, lead my thoughts to what you desire me to focus on.” And immediately my mind went to Philippians 2.
“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” - Philippians 2:3-4
How important must I think I am to spend so much time thinking about myself?
Just after this verse it goes on to remind us that literally the most important person in all of history “emptied Himself, taking on the form of a bond servant,” and “humbled Himself by become obedient to the point of death” for us (Phil. 2:7-8).
The most important Person on the planet for all time regarded us, our lives and our eternity as more important than Himself.
Jesus may have come as a baby in a manger and we celebrate that goodness this Christmas season. But He came with one purpose in mind, one cup that felt at times too heavy to bear. And He left this planet 33 years later on a cross as the Savior of us all. Just for us.
How do we make room for that?
How do we not?
This Christmas Eve I’m taking one more deep breath and one more stab at slowing down and taking my thoughts off of myself. I’m spending a little extra time in prayer for those the Lord has entrusted to me along my path. For those I know are waiting for a hoped for future, waiting for a baby, searching for discernment for next steps and next moves, praying for patience longing for true contentment, joy and peace. And last but certainly not least I’m turning my thoughts to Him, a baby, a Savior, the longed for King, a Sacrifice for us, a promise, a light, a hope. And letting my heart empty of myself and prepare Him more and more abundant room.