Prepare Him RoomSample

Day 3: The Now and the Not Yet

Today’s Reading: Luke 5

We all live in the tension of the now and the not yet. Every single one of us has things we long for and dream about. And that’s a good thing (most of the time). Jesus invites us to ask, seek, and knock. He teaches us to be relentless in prayer. He is, after all, the God of the impossible, the God of multiplication, and the God who makes a way where there is no way.

But sometimes we believe our dreams, accomplishments, and possessions will finally fill the void in our hearts or validate the need for acceptance in our souls. Eventually, we lay hold of some of those things and find them sorely lacking. Still, we hope, we dream, and think that one day things will be different.

But we have Jesus’ presence today. We have access to the very throne room of heaven today. We’re so deeply connected to the Father’s heart that He delights in every single detail of our lives, even at Christmastime. Through His fatherly eyes of love, I’m sure God aches as He watches us rush to and fro like the rest of the lost world, rehearsing our way through our stressed-out task list as if we’re somehow obligated to add stress and subtract rest simply because it’s the holiday season. 

What if you simplified your season enough that you and your family could feel both blessed and at rest? What if you reduced your list of could dos to a healthy number of should-dos and then offered them up to the one who longs to meet with you? What if you practiced some restraint in your spending? Maybe give a sacrificial gift to a family in need in your community.

The holidays will be over before you know it. But for those who walk intimately with Jesus, who follow His lead, enjoy His company, and keep His pace? For them the kingdom comes.

As we journey through this Advent season, may we remember that we live in a world of overindulgence, overcommitment, premature multiplication, and shortcuts, and shortcuts almost always lead to compromise. What if we did something otherworldly this season? What if we slowed our pace and reduced our intake?  What if we instead took in the sights, the scents, and decided to be fully present this season? What if we gave God time and space to speak to us about our need, our hopes, and His intentions toward us? Now’s a perfect time to ponder anew that first Jesus came as a baby but next He’ll return as a King. And He knows your name. 

Pray: Lord, what can I lay down that might lay hold of more of You? Speak, Lord, I’m listening. Amen.

Prepare: Practice restraint this holiday season. Fast from overconsumption in ways where you’re tempted toward excess. Refuse to exhaust yourself for the sake of appearances. You’re already loved and accepted by the King. Give thanks.