Making Room

There are things that I know about myself. Coffee is a must in the morning. Networking is the stuff of my nightmares. And the whole day just goes better when I start it with Jesus.

The first two I can work around. Dr. Pepper or hot chocolate can be subbed in for the coffee, if absolutely necessary. I can grit my teeth (a.k.a. smile politely) and network with the best of them, as long as I can nap afterward. But that third one? There’s no workaround for me. If I don’t start my day with Jesus—talking to Him, reading at least a verse or two of His Word, or singing His praises—it rocks my world. And not in a good way.

So why do I try? Why do I lie to myself and say I’ll talk to Jesus after lunch because this email has to go out immediately? Why do I make an I-know-I’ll-break-it-promise to dive into the Word as soon as I’ve dug out from under my to-do list? Why do I put tasks above time with Him?

Are you like me? Do you struggle to make room for Jesus? I don’t believe I’m alone in this battle. In fact, I’m convinced it’s a problem that started long, long ago, in the little town called Bethlehem . . .

No Room

You remember how the story goes. A census decree forced Joseph and a very pregnant Mary to travel all the way to Bethlehem. Once they arrived . . .

She brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:7, NKJV)

Did you catch those last few words tucked into the story of Jesus’ birth? “No room for them.” It’s not much of a leap to apply those words to my own life and see just how much they say about my heart and my priorities. (Also, yes, I realize that it may or may not have been an inn, just as it may or may not have been a stable or a cave or the basement of distant relative’s home where the birth of Jesus happened. But the lesson is the same . . . there was a struggle to make room.)

The question is: Why is there no room? Is it because I’ve filled up the inn of my life with too many other things?

Too Crowded

I’ll confess that all too often I let my life become crowded with the things of this world. Not evil or wrong things. In fact, they’re usually good things. (Except doom scrolling the socials, and I’m working on that. Prayers appreciated.) But no matter how good these things might be, they aren’t the best thing. They aren’t Jesus.

Shout and Whisper

The thing is, the things of this world shout. They pull and push and demand attention. Jesus doesn’t shout. He doesn’t pull or push or demand attention. Instead, Jesus whispers. He opens up His arms in wide welcome, and He invites, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28, NIV).

It’s up to me to make room in my life to accept His invitation. And that begins when I ask Jesus to help me make room. Because this life of faith doesn’t depend on me and my efforts. (Thank goodness, and thank You, God!) It’s not all up to you either. We serve a Lord who not only wants us to love and trust and obey Him, but He is ready and waiting and willing to help us do just that! In fact, He’s given us His own Spirit to help us:

“I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth.” (John 14:16–17)

Emptying the “Inn”

So, when we need to “empty the inn” of all those extras and unnecessaries . . . when we need to turn down the world’s shouting in order to hear the whispers . . . when we need to make more room for Jesus . . . we just need to ask. Then, we need to listen close with our ears, with our eyes, with our whole hearts. Because He’ll show us how to make room.