Make Room for God

Earlier this week, I walked into a room to meet with leaders from various missions organizations. Everyone was already seated at tables to eat a meal together. A quick scan revealed to me that there were no available seats. There was no room for me at the table. 

We have all had this experience. It doesn’t matter how old we are or what our role is, there is a twinge of sadness that creeps in, and our insecurities are awakened. Why is that? No one was intentionally excluding me or trying to make me feel unwanted. 

Making room for someone is an act of love and care. When we include them in our space, it communicates that we see them. That they are important. That they belong. When there is no room for them, it communicates the opposite — that they are unseen, forgotten and overlooked. 

As we begin a new year, I am taking some time to think about what it means to make room for Jesus. That may sound funny because Jesus is my Lord, my Savior and my closest friend! My life’s calling is to help fulfill the Great Commission and help people fall in love with Jesus, trusting Him with their whole lives. 

The reality is that I can be busy with the mission and forget to make space for Him. It takes intentionality to protect that room in my life. This reality struck me over Christmas when I read the words from the Gospel of Luke:

“And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7).

From the moment He was born, Jesus was overlooked and left out. That is why the opening refrain of “Joy to the World” is so appropriate:

Joy to the world, the Lord is come
Let Earth receive her King
Let every heart prepare Him room

Each and every one of us is worshiping Jesus when we make room for Him daily in our hearts and in our priorities. What a wonder and a mystery that He gladly inhabits that room that we make for Him. He doesn’t conquer our hearts or invade them. He comes when we make space and welcome Him. 

He knows what it feels like when there is no room for Him. I believe that’s why His promise to us is so profound when He reassures us that: 

“There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am” (John 14:2-3).

Our Lord gives us the certain hope that when we see Him face to face there will be a place prepared just for us! I won’t have to worry about eating alone, off in a corner somewhere. We will be known and loved. We will belong. 

As we look ahead, anticipating innovations in AI that will save us time and help us reach more people, and as we trust God for more fruitfulness and welcome more people into the throneroom of heaven, let’s not forget to make room for Jesus. The goal is not to be busier; it is to love Him more and to let that love overflow to those whom He has called us to reach with the gospel. 

How are you going to intentionally make room for Jesus in your life this year?

Together with you,
Cheryl

In two decades of serving with our organization, I had not yet had an opportunity to go on sabbatical. I thank the Lord for the leadership of Cheryl, who encouraged me to take a sabbatical for two months. Allow me to share my experience. 

When I started, honestly speaking, I felt like I was becoming lazy, doing nothing. The first two weeks were the most difficult. As time went on, I valued my sabbatical and longed for more time, especially toward the end. Two statements by Mark Buchanan in his book “The Rest of God” caught my attention and encouraged me before and during my sabbatical time: 

“In God’s economy, to redeem time, you might just have to waste some.” 

“We have not been still enough, often enough, to know ourselves, our friends and our family, our God.”

I had to be intentional by starting to plan for it, selecting books to read, and setting a timetable that included having an unrushed time with God. 

Other than setting a specific time for prayer, resting and reflecting in solitude, my timetable included sleeping, having fun, working out while listening to selected podcasts, walking and contemplating nature, thinking, connecting, playing and planning with my family, and traveling together to several places in the country. It was a time to let God speak to me through my family, reading and listening to both Scripture and other selected books. My sabbatical was also a time spent doing nothing or “wasting time” without feeling guilty. 

As a result of my sabbatical I resolved to, among other things: deal with my hidden anger, extend much grace to myself and others, deal with unresolved conflicts, complain less, take more responsibilities, choose to listen more than talk, evaluate my fears and insecurities, cooperate with God’s move and interruptions in my life, and always assess the motive behind everything I do. 

My sabbatical time has helped me discover myself more. After my sabbatical, I have been busy removing logs in my own eyes, acting on my resolutions, and reminding myself to keep depending on Him as it is an ongoing process. 

Sabbatical time should be a regular habit. It helps you in spiritual self-discovery and rejuvenation, and it leads to inspiration as you keep “downloading” God’s mind about yourself and your surroundings.