Make Room for Jesus
By Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading
“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.” – Luke 2:6-7, NIV
When Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem for a census before Jesus was born, there was no room for them to stay. Despite centuries of prophecy, anticipation, and hope, no one made room for the newborn Jesus. Instead, Jesus was born in an animal stable, which was an unlikely beginning for the world’s Savior – yet one that reveals God’s loving humility.
This lack of space for Jesus in Bethlehem has a message for us today. The Savior, then and now, seeks a place in our lives. But we, too, can often neglect making room for him when we’re too busy and stressed. Distractions and demands can crowd out Jesus, despite the fact that he offers us ultimate peace. If we don’t intentionally make room for Jesus in our hearts, minds, and lives, we risk missing out on the blessings Jesus wants to give us.
Jesus wants to connect with us in our hearts. Yet emotions, attachments, ambitions, and even wounds can fill up our hearts and leave little room for receiving the love Jesus wants to give us. It’s easy to say we love Jesus, but are our hearts open to truly receive Jesus’ love day by day? Making room for Jesus in our hearts means allowing him to be our first love. It requires us to open our hearts vulnerably to Jesus, confessing and releasing the burdens, idols, and attachments that occupy valuable space. Only when we let go of these distractions can we experience the fullness of Jesus’ love.
Jesus longs to give us a mindset that leads to peace and joy. However, too much of our mental energy can be consumed by worry, doubt, and the noise of endless information. Without realizing it, we might fill our minds with anxieties, trivial topics, or negative thoughts that push Jesus’ truth aside. Making room for Jesus in our minds involves consciously choosing to set our minds on what has eternal value. It means praying regularly, meditating on Bible passages, and asking the Holy Spirit to renew our minds. When we let Jesus transform our minds, we begin to view life through the lens of God’s wisdom, which enables us to trust Jesus more deeply.
Finally, making room for Jesus in our lives means centering our daily decisions around our relationships with Jesus. It’s easy to keep Jesus in a “Sunday morning” or “quiet time” compartment, but true devotion calls us to integrate his presence into every part of our lives. What we fill our time and energy with speaks volumes about our priorities, and if our lives are full of lesser pursuits, it leaves little room for discovering the wonder of God’s work in our lives and joining that work by living with purpose. When we make room for Jesus, we become more aware of his guidance and more willing to follow where he leads – even if it takes us out of our comfort zone.
When we make room for Jesus, we open ourselves to awe-inspiring transformation for the better. Jesus longs to work in and through us, but we must be willing to clear away the clutter that hinders his work in our lives. The people who didn’t make room for Jesus in Bethlehem likely had no idea they were turning away the Savior of the world. In the same way, we might overlook the small but vital ways Jesus wants to meet us each day.
When we consciously invite Jesus into our hearts, minds, and lives, our spiritual growth accelerates. So, let’s make room for Jesus, and enjoy experiencing the blessings he wants to give us!
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As you consider the importance of making room for Jesus, reflect on these questions:
- Are there specific areas of your life that you have not yet fully surrendered to Jesus?
- What’s taking up room in your heart and mind right now that you’d like to let go of to make more room for Jesus?
- How can you rearrange your priorities and your schedule to get rid of unnecessary activities and allow more time to communicate with Jesus in prayer and meditation?
- In what ways has Jesus already shown you that he is present in your life, and how can you respond to him more fully?
Further Reading:
Matthew 6:33
Revelation 3:20
Psalm 37:4
Romans 12:2
John 15:5
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/udra
Whitney Hopler helps people discover God's wonder and experience awe. She is the author of several books, including the nonfiction books Wake Up to Wonder and Wonder Through the Year: A Daily Devotional for Every Year, and the young adult novel Dream Factory. Whitney has served as an editor at leading media organizations, including Crosswalk.com, The Salvation Army USA’s national publications, and Dotdash.com (where she produced a popular channel on angels and miracles). She currently leads the communications work at George Mason University’s Center for the Advancement of Well-Being. Connect with Whitney on her website at www.whitneyhopler.com, on Facebook, and on X/Twitter.
Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at Crosswalk.com!
Related Resource: How Habit Stacking Will Help You Discipline Your Mind, Body, & Spirit
The process of success is not hidden. It is on display for anyone to see. However, it is a daily grind that requires a great deal of work that is tedious and often uncomfortable. Successful people simply do the work. They embrace the grind and everything that comes with it. Ultimately, successful people understand this truth - Hope doesn’t produce change. Habits do! Everyone has the desire, but many lack the necessary discipline! That’s why today on The Built Different Podcast we have a very special guest who understands the importance of discipline and habits at a very high level. Don’t just focus on changing the thoughts in your head and the habits in your life, but also allow God to transform your heart from the inside out. If you like what you hear, be sure to subscribe to The Built Different Podcast on Apple, Spotify or YouTube so you never miss an episode!