A Humble Place

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.  She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:6-7

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in the very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross! Philippians 2:5-8

But he gives us more grace.  That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6

There was no room for Jesus at the inn that night--but that’s the way it was meant to be.  The place where Jesus comes to stay must be humble--a place that needs His presence to fill it up and make it special.  That stable was probably cold, empty, and dark--until Jesus arrived and made it a holy place--full of life, love and light.

 

A similar thing happens in our hearts.  When we’re full of pride (when our “inn is full”)--there’s no room for Jesus there.  But when we humble our hearts, admitting that we’re imperfect and ordinary--and hopeless without Him--then He can come in.  He’ll fill our hearts with life, love, and light.

 

Unfortunately, we can easily fall back into our prideful ways, so we must continually humble our hearts.  As we do, God enables us to unselfishly serve others. We should look to Jesus’ example of how to have a “servant heart”.  Then, just maybe, when others see our hearts full of life, love, and light, they’ll ask Jesus to come in and fill their hearts with the same.

 

Prayer: Light of the World, please forgive our prideful hearts.  Help us to remain humble so we may reach other hearts that need your presence.  And thank you for humbly coming to earth to save us and show us how to serve. Amen.

 

Sharon Irvin (reprinted from 2007)