Make Room for Him

 “And laid in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:7)

I went to a country concert last night.  It was a small venue – a country artist that has been singing for many years.  He put on a good show – played his old hits, some classic country hits and a few new songs.  The camaraderie between him and his band was fun to watch.  And I always love corny jokes and just “good old-fashioned” fun. And that is how I would describe last night’s concert.  

But there was one thing missing. 

Before I went to this concert, I saw a TikTok of this singer saying that his recording label had asked him to remove Jesus from one of his songs.  He says he refused – and the song was never released.  So because of this, I was hoping that maybe we would hear that song – or at least a song that included Jesus would be on the set list. Some classic country gospel would've hit the spot!

But there was no room for Him, I guess.

The story behind this country artist is one of redemption.  He is a recovered alcoholic.  It was so nice to see someone NOT drink alcohol.  Because you know that you are getting that whole person – not someone that is slowly being poisoned and altered by alcohol as the night goes on.  He also is a father and married for many years – so I would say (without knowing for sure) he is a faithful, family man.  If there is a history of alcoholism – and a marriage and family are still intact – there has to be a lot of grace in his life. That I do know for sure!

The hope really was high that he would make room for Jesus last night. 

But who am I to judge? How many days in the past have I lived my every days without making room for Jesus? Oh I'll make room for my tv shows, Instagram scrolling, TikTok viewing … but there were days where my schedule was just “too full” – there was simply no room.  Insert eye roll here because there should ALWAYS be room for Jesus. And I am ashamed of myself.  

How many times have I heard the Christmas story? Why is it just dawning on me now that I have been that inn keeper? I have been saying with my actions that there is no room!

“He says, Ye are the temples of the Holy Ghost. “Know ye not your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost?” Will you make room for Him this afternoon? Young lady, is there room for self? Is there room for the world? Is there room for pride? Is there room for jealousy? Is there room for everyone and everything else but the Son of God? Will you turn Him away, or will you today make room for Him?” Dwight L. Moody

Recently I have felt that pull back to Him. Nothing really would satisfy my soul anymore.  The only way to really describe it is – I have been filled with this thirst for Him.  What grace and mercy He has shown me – sticking by me when I literally ignored Him, and took Him for granted.  What grace and mercy it is to have a thirst for His spirit!  

I made room for Him, and in return, He continues to fill my heart everyday with more and more want of Him. And with that want of Him comes a peace and a grounding like nothing else this world can offer. 

So now, I am simply bored with Instagram reels, TikTok videos and surprisingly – my tv shows!  If you know me, you know what a statement that is because in the past, when I was overwhelmed, tired, bored – you name it – it was escaping into a tv series that would fill me. What a fool I was!  

Oh what grace and mercy that He continues to fill me with things SO MUCH GREATER than this world.  What a stark difference there is between what my soul felt with anything from this world and what my soul feels when filled with Him. “And the things of this world are strangely dim!”  

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,

In the light of His glory and grace.

“Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” by Helen Howarth Lemmel (1922)

So yes, I enjoyed last night’s concert.  And I still enjoy my tv shows and other fun things this world does offer.  These are gifts from God, too.  We aren’t meant to be miserable here!  But we are meant to make room for Him and to not let the things of this world outshine Him in our lives.

“When He made this world, He made room for us, plenty of it. He made room for Himself in our hearts, but a usurper has come. My friends, won’t you let the Son of God into your hearts; and won’t you let Him dwell with you?” Dwight L. Moody

a mighty God

I have a confession to make -- when I first started studying the names of God, I kind of wanted to rush past this one simply to get to the other names.  I felt this one was too broad.  Of course He is the God who created it all ... duh!  

But when I sat with this name, studied more, and really thought about what it means -- that the God who saved me and lives in me is the One who created  E V E R Y T H I N G  ... then, WOW, how very grateful I am -- and so humbled by my first instinct to rush through.

It was Ann's words from Praying the Names of God that gave me a new perspective of my Lord and this world we live in.  (thank you Ann!)

"A mighty God could have created a world quite different from the one we know.  It could have had perpetually dark skies, grass hurt to walk on, dogs that couldn't be housebroken, and people incapable of love. Have you ever wondered why the world you take for granted is often so stunningly beautiful? So pleasant to live in? Why the people around you are capable of so much kindness?" Ann Spangler, Praying the Names of God

Let's pause today and just marvel at His creation. And what this world says about our Creator. 

Creation is a reflection

of our Creator...

intricate

intelligent

peaceful

merciful

loving

kind

holy

unwavering

resilient

Thank you, Elohim, for Your creation. Please forgive me for the many times I've taken for granted all You have done for us in creating such a beautiful, loving, peaceful and resilient world.  Please let me always find You in nature. As Paul says in Roman 1:20 -- "For since the creation of the world, God's invisible qualities -- His eternal power and divine nature -- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made ..." Amen

 

Elohim - mighty Creator

 

Elohim is the first name of God to appear in the Bible.  It shows up in the very first sentence of the Bible. Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning, Elohim created the heavens and the earth."

When we speak the name of Elohim, we are reminding ourselves that He created it all.  I love to cherish this word deep in my heart to bring peace -- remembering God's creative power and His sovereignty over everything.  

What problem could I have that He cannot solve? 

When life overwhelms me.  When I feel inadequate to solve whatever mess I have seen to have gotten myself into, I close my eyes and just whisper quietly in my soul, Elohim.  

Elohim (You created it all)
Elohim (You are amazing and powerful)
Elohim (Your creativity and knowledge and intelligence in creating one single flower is multiplied by infinity because You created everything)!!!

When we whisper Elohim, when we acknowledge He is the creator, sovereign over all -- we are worshipping our Lord. 

The names of God are prayers and worship.

it’s His path you are walking!

 It doesn't matter what this world labels you..the money you have or don't have...the number on the scale...the car you drive...the vacations or staycations...because when you are one of His children, it's His path you are walking to bring you closer to Him, your Lord!

Jesus is my candlelight.

I am reminded more than any year before of the true LIGHT that shines during Christmas – Jesus.  He is the LIGHT that came into this weary world, to save us from eternal darkness. And the peace and warmth I feel in my heart reminds me of a single candle shining in the darkness.  

Jesus is my candlelight.

"His life is the light that shines through the darkness

-- and the darkness can never extinguish it." John 1:3

This world's Christmas season is loud, trying to steal my attention. But the peace of the flickering flame cannot be rivaled.  And the more my eyes focus on the flame, the more the world around me hushes. 

My soul quiets amid the candlelight.

This world's Christmas season is flashy. It tries to pull my eyes away.  But nothing is as beautiful as one candle’s light in the darkness. 

The rest of the world dims as I focus on the flame.

This world’s Christmas season is busy. It boggles down my soul, filling my mind with endless to-do lists. But as I look up from my list and see one single dancing flame -- lighting up the vast darkness with its wonder -- I can finally breathe.  

And I breathe in the peace of stillness.

It is the schemes of the darkness to try to extinguish His light in this world.  Not only at Christmastime does the world try to tempt me to look away.  I am grateful that one still, small candle always chases away the dark. 

Because if it wasn't for Jesus, I would be forever in the darkness.  

little white lies

I was taking a walk today to get my daily coffee.  It's a new thing I've started.  Since I work from home, my "steps" are lacking.  And I live close to our town square!  

Anyways, I was thinking about white lies when I was walking. It started out by commending myself for being such an honest person.  And then I slapped myself back into reality -- no one on this earth is a completely honest person.  I try, I'll give myself that -- and I'm much better than I used to be.  But - well, I grew up with people pleasers. And when trying to please people, little white lies happen.

A few years ago, I was convicted by the Holy Spirit and, in my heart, began a transformation.  I began to realize when I was lying.  And I began to see it for what it was -- I was making myself a untrustworthy person.  

And then -- and this is where I think the conviction in my heart took place -- I realized how hurt the other person would be if they knew I was being untruthful.  

Right here - while I am writing this - I want to assure you they weren't huge lies.  You know -- that I'm not that bad of a person.  But seriously -- why does that even matter?  A sin is a sin to our holy God.  And while as followers of Jesus, we are saved from our sins -- He does not want us to sin.  With each life choice -- do not sin.  

I leave you with this -- Proverbs that I read a few days ago.  Could be why I was thinking about honesty and dishonesty.

Proverbs 11:1 -- The LORD hates cheating and delights in honesty. 
Proverbs 11:3 -- The good man is guided by honesty; the evil man is destroyed by his dishonesty.

Faith in troubled times

 Faith is like a radar that sees through the fog, the reality of things at a distance -- that the human eye cannot see. -Corrie ten Boom

A few years ago I read Corrie ten Boom's story.  I think I'm going to read it yet again.  Okay - I know I am going to read it again.  And I'll write my thoughts here in this blog.  It'll be like my very own book club.  Who wants to join me?

I posted the picture here of one of my pieces of artwork that celebrates Courage.  I love that Corrie's courage came from her faith in Jesus.  And that she wasn't alone in her fight -- she had her sister with her the entire way.  And what's crazy -- is that since Corrie lived after the war, she is credited with doing so much good.  But until I read the book, I didn't realize that it was her sister, Betsy, who had the stronger faith of the two.  Her faith through it all was just mind boggling.  Whenever I am going thru a hardship, I draw from her witness of how the Lord comforted her, healed her, saved her, and saved others through her.  I strive for that!!!  

Hiding Place is the name of the book.  Here's a copy/paste synopsis ...

The Hiding Place is Corrie ten Boom’s personal story of faith, forgiveness, and love for the persecuted Jewish community during the World War II Nazi invasion and occupation of Holland. Part of an underground resistance movement, Corrie and her family risked their lives to hide Jewish friends within a secret wall space of the Beje, their beloved clock shop and home in Haarlem, Netherlands. Her heroic actions eventually led to her arrest and imprisonment at Ravensbrück, the German Reich’s largest concentration camp for women.

For the first time, the ten Boom family’s heart-wrenching story of sacrifice and survival is presented as a special edition complete with rare family photos, accents of Dutch Delft–style design, artwork by Dutch artists, and personal ephemera. Hand-lettered inspirational quotes and Scripture combined with artwork reminiscent of World War II Europe make The Hiding Place come alive like never before.

I cannot wait to receive this in the mail.  I also cannot wait to read The Hiding Place again in this new beautiful format! 

I love how the Lord led me to write this blog, led me to Corrie's quote, then to search for the book and ultimately, find this special edition of The Hiding Place.  

I love the Lord's leading in my heart and my life.

amylee