Is Your Heart "Preparing Him Room"?

By: Rebekah Hargraves

Photo Courtesy Of: Erol Ahmed

 "My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you." 

~Isaiah 26:9a

 “LET EVERY HEART PREPARE HIM ROOM....”

Here we are! It's November 1st, and we have officially entered into the always much-anticipated holiday season. Here, at the start of what is always a busy, hurried, and often harried season, this line from the Christmas carol, “Joy to the World” seems so timely to me. Rather than ending today's devotional with reflection questions, I want to issue to each of you dear readers (and to myself!) these questions as we embark on the holiday season. Right here, and right now, before everything ramps up and things get crazy, may we work through these questions and purpose now to walk with intentionality in the two months ahead!

Is my heart preparing Him room this holiday season?

Am I preparing Him room in my calendar and on my to-do list? Room to nudge me in a certain direction to reach out to and serve a certain person? Room to be praised and adored by me instead of forgotten in the busyness?

Am I preparing Him room in the 24 hours I’m given each day? Room to be prayed to, communed with, and to have His Word studied?

Am I preparing Him room in my finances? Room for money to be given out to church, ministries, the homeless man downtown? Or am I squandering it all for myself, my family, and our Christmas gifts?

Am I preparing Him room in my Advent plans? Sure, Advent and Christmas are about Him, so you would think that would be easy. But am I getting my focus wrong? Am I stressing out over all the Advent plans? Or giving more focus to Christmas movies and cookie-baking (nothing inherently wrong with either one - I love both!) that I’m forgetting to teach my kids why we do all this in the first place?

Am I preparing Him room to open my eyes and heart to the people around me when I’m out Christmas shopping? Am I hustling and bustling, or keeping my eyes peeled for the person who might need a listening ear, a smile, a dollar, or the love of a stranger? Am I willing to take the time to extend the love of Christ to others in the midst of my busy errand-running?

Am I preparing Him room as I prepare and plan for Thanksgiving this year, or am I too focused on producing the perfect tablescape and the most Pinterest-worthy food? Have I prayed about who the Lord might desire for me to invite to my table, in addition to family and friends? Who do I know who may not have a home or family to spend this Thanksgiving with? Can they come to my home? 

This is what I’m pondering today. Join me? Mull over these things in your own mind and heart today and answer honestly. Then ask the Lord for help. Preparing Him room will make all the difference this holiday season! And not just for us, but for everyone around us, too.