“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:7
Some years ago at a resort area along the East Coast, a small community was having an open town meeting about some financial problems that they were facing. Among the two dozen or so people was one man no one seemed to know who was apparently visiting in that area and had just dropped in on the meeting. He started to make a comment once as various projects were considered, but he was interrupted; so for the rest of the time, he kept still, and he left early. Just as he went out someone arriving late came in, and said breathlessly, “What was he doing here? Is he going to help us?” The rest of them said, “Who are you talking about? Who was that man?” The person who had just arrived said, “You mean you don’t know? That was John D. Rockefeller.”
John Rockefeller, one of the wealthiest men alive during his time, had wanted to help the small community, but because they were too busy to listen to him, he quietly left. Even more wealthy and more powerful than John Rockefeller is our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
How many times have we interrupted God or failed to listen to Him? Often those times that He wanted to help us most we ignored His leading. Notice the picture of this in our verse today, “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7).
While some could argue that the town would have been full and the innkeeper would not have had room for Mary and Joseph, picture the situation. A young man and his very pregnant wife are searching for a room. They are both weary and tired, and perhaps Mary had even begun experiencing labor pains. Rather than making room for them, the innkeeper sent them to the animals’ sleeping area.
What an outrage! Our Lord, the King of kings, deserved better than this. Indeed He did, but He also deserves better than to be overlooked and ignored in your life. What the innkeeper did that night is no different than when you ignore His leading, dismiss His plan, and bypass His guidance. Those times you fail to heed His council are just you telling Christ to take a backseat, to stay in the stable rather than in the inn of your heart.
If you are saved, the Holy Spirit will always live in your heart, but whether you listen to Him or not is your choice. God will always provide His help for you, but whether you accept His help and heed His guidance will determine what place He has in your life. Is He merely a part of your life or is He the driving force behind your actions?
How do you treat the Lord? Do you heed His guidance and obey His commands or could you be represented by the innkeeper who placed Christ in a stable? Don’t allow anything to push God out of your life. No possession, hobby, job, amount of money, or philosophy can replace the One who died on the Cross for you. Allow Him to have first place in your life today and follow His every guiding command. (Dr. Paul Chappell)
