“Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me. Luke 1:46-47,49 NLT
Our Wednesday night Growth Group is doing Max Lucado’s Because of Bethlehem Advent Study. It is very simple, yet extremely challenging for it calls us to focus on preparing our hearts for Jesus. Every week we view a video message from Max, have a discussion based on its content and then have an “Advent Practice” during the week where we take 15 minutes to ask ourselves weekly questions. Last week the questions were; Lord, in what ways do I choose to make room for you in my life and in my heart? And, Lord, in what ways have I failed to make room for you in life and in my heart?
Thursday began with a good start, but I quickly found the business of the day preoccupying me even though I prayed Lord, just help me stay focused on You during this day and change my heart. It happened again the next day and the next. Then came Sunday afternoon when God answered my prayer, but not the way you might think. He allowed me to become sick, I mean, flat on my back in bed sick! Monday as I lay and prayed the same prayer, God reminded me that He already had taken care of that. If I wasn’t going to slow down, He would allow me to be slowed down. I wasn’t happy because I felt awful, but the point was well made. I found myself praying, singing and reciting scripture (it was too uncomfortable to read it). It was amazing I began not minding the fact I wasn’t moving at break neck speed to accomplish all the things I thought would stop the world if they didn’t get done. Tuesday I felt better, but decided to spend the day just praising and worshiping God. As I did so an amazing thing began to happen, I began to feel better, I made some phone calls, sent e-mails and still had time to praise and worship God. By the evening when I was singing out to Him as I lifted my hands it was as if something lifted off of me and I could breath better and I felt much better.
God had made His point. We can still live a full life and keep our focus on Him because He is found in everything! And here is the amazing part all those things that I didn’t do, well, nothing drastic happened because they didn’t. I got done what could and what was priority. How freeing it was to realize I could choose to set aside time to meet with God and still was able to get done what needed to be done and at a slower speed.
I encourage you this Christmas to choose to slow down, make 15 minutes a day for God and you will be amazed at how much more time you will have to enjoy this special time of year.
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