Some days I feel more panic over my to-do list than wonder at the reality of Christ’s presence with me. Jesus promised to be with us always, but in the busyness of life, we tend to crowd Him out. If Jesus knocked at the door of my heart today, I’d probably mutter, “There’s no room here,” just like the innkeeper at Bethlehem. Then I’d get back to my mile-long list. How to make room for Jesus when daily life is so overwhelming?
We can be knee deep in life with hearts far from One who gives us life.
Sometimes we’re so caught up working, serving our families, and even volunteering at church that we neglect the most important thing: making our hearts a dwelling place for Jesus. Taking a few minutes in the morning to draw near to God and read Scripture get our day off to a good start. But how to make room for Jesus in our thoughts all day long?
Here are some ways to make room for Jesus throughout the day:
Quiet Our Hearts
Taking just five minutes to be quiet and focus on our Savior can change the landscape of our hearts during a stressful day. I love Eugene Peterson’s translation of the “Be still and know that I am God” verse. Remember this when you’re at a crowded grocery store or stuck in traffic:
Come Clean
Women today face the pressure of trying to do it all: spend quality time with our families, succeed at work, cook healthy meals, and decorate our homes with creative flair. (And don’t forget the laundry.) These things bring joy, but when I try to do them all at the same time, I start to fret and get snappy. A layer of frustration and resentment builds up inside before I know it. Nothing frees my heart like taking a few minutes—whether I’m driving my car or working in my kitchen—to humble myself, confess my sins, and ask God to cleanse me.
Invite Our Savior to Come in
One of the most intriguing miracles of the New Testament is Jesus making his home in our hearts. What if we get intentional about opening the door of our heart? Ask Jesus to come and show himself to you today. Draw near to him for fellowship as you go about your everyday activities. Invite Him into your work and trust He’ll give you the wisdom you need. Open the door of your home to Jesus and make Him the center of your family, by praying together often and talking about your faith with your husband and kids.
Ask God to Heal our Broken Places
The challenges of life can weigh heavy on us. If you are struggling through prolonged singleness, divorce, a dysfunctional family, or the loss of a loved one, God sees you, my friend. He longs to show Himself close to you. God is waiting right now for you to pour out your heart and tell Him how you feel. Here’s a promise we can count on:
Ask God to Renew our Hearts
You may be dragging a weary heart around as you push through the endless activities and responsibilities of parenting. Maybe a long, draining year at work has robbed your strength. Stop for a few minutes with the Shepherd of your soul to reflect on this:
Whether our hearts need to be quieted, cleansed, healed, or renewed, we can rest assured that Jesus knows everything about us and loves us anyway. He will meet our need as we draw near to Him. Will you join me in setting aside a few minutes today to make room for Jesus in your heart? When you invite Him in, He will come. He wants your heart for His dwelling place.
Now it’s your turn: Do you ever feel like you crowd Jesus out of your life? What helps you make room for Him in your heart?
Are you facing the challenges of life on an empty tank? Need help renewing your relationship with God?
Follow this link to find me on Facebook for daily encouragement.
Linking up with Kelly Balarie’s #RaRa Linkup, Mary Geisen’s #TellHisStory, Crystal Storms’ #HeartEncouragement, andLyli Dunbar’s #FaithonFire. Check out these communities for more encouragement.
