Prepare Him Room

A friend and I were talking the other day about how interesting it is that, at Christmas time, everyone is singing the gospel. When I hear Christmas hymns playing in a store, I marvel at how it’s just so commonplace – just a part of the season – that people don’t even process the words.

Take Joy to the World, for example:

“Joy to the world! The Lord is come! Let earth receive her King. Let every heart prepare Him room…”

Oh! If only they would prepare Him room!

But this morning my Advent reading got me thinking about that phrase “prepare Him room”. Yes, it applies to those who don’t know Him opening up their hearts to Him. But it can really apply to each one of us. We all have more of our hearts to give to Him, no matter how long we’ve walked with Him or how much we love Him.

What is it that keeps me from preparing room in my heart for Him? During the holiday season it’s busyness and stress. There seems to be so much to do in a short window of time – a window of time, by the way, that is meant to be set aside for the very purpose of making room in our hearts to ponder this great big story we’re a part of.

And really, busyness and stress are not just limited to the holidays. This is a year-round struggle. There always seems to be too much to do, tasks getting set aside until tomorrow. There just isn’t enough time in a day to do all that needs doing, let alone to make space in my mind and heart to prepare Him room. Anybody else with me in this?

So, how do we change things? What practical ideas can we implement that will help us get off this whirling merry-go-round and find that quiet place in our hearts? Better yet, how can we prepare Him room in the midst of our daily routine (because we all know that some things just can’t be erased off the list or neglected)? Philippians 4 gives us some ideas.

Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  – Philippians 4:4-7

 I love the way Ruth Chou Simons boils these verses down: “Rejoice in what is true about God. Let prayer replace anxiety. Ask with a posture of gratitude.”

Rejoice in what is true about God

So often we put ourselves at the center of the story. But when we set our minds on God, our perspective shifts.

He is Creator.
He sustains all things by His powerful word.
He has all wisdom and He knows the end from the beginning.
He is the ruler of the universe and nothing is too difficult for Him.

He isn’t wringing His hands, hoping I come through for Him and wondering what will happen if I don’t. He doesn’t need me at all, but He loves me and, like a father who delights in spending time with His daughter, He enjoys letting me come along with Him as He works. He doesn’t want me to stress, trying in my own strength to do it all. He wants me to ask Him for help. And, of course, He will. We don’t need to worry – ever. He is near and He can do anything. When I focus my heart on Him, He will guide me through my day.

Let prayer replace anxiety

When we remember and rejoice in what is true about God, it’s easy to bring the things that we’re anxious about to Him in prayer. Because He is who He is, we have nothing to worry about! He is “the blessed controller of all things”! Better yet, He is our Dad and He loves us. He works all things out for His glory and our good. We can trust Him… always and in everything. He delights in our coming to Him with our worries and leaving them there, trusting Him to take care of them.

Ask with a posture of gratitude

Because of all of this, we can live from a place of gratitude. This is God’s story – beginning in Genesis and ending in Revelation. And we are living in the middle of that story. He came, wrapped in humanity, to rescue us and He will come again to make all things news. Are there difficult seasons we have to walk through? Yes. Are there wounds and frustrations and misunderstandings and limitations we have to deal with? Of course. But we can remember that our “light and momentary affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory.” (2 Corinthians 4:17) Now that’s something to be grateful for!

So, this holiday season, maybe you’re able to alter your calendar and scale back a bit. Or maybe you are unable to change plans. Either way, determine that you will set Him apart as Lord in your heart and your mind. Remember that He is capable, He is faithful, and He dearly loves you. Take your anxiety to Him and leave it there. And instead of seeing all that frustrates or discourages or stresses you, look for things to be grateful for.

Prepare Him room.

Shalom to you, friends.