In Revelation 3:20 there is a vivid illustration. “Look! I
stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will
come in, and we will share a meal together as
friends.” Revelation 3:20 (NLT)
What an interesting guest at the table. How incredible to break bread with the Bread
of Life. Sharing a meal as friends with the King of kings and Lord
of lords. Wow.
Around holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, there is so much to do. There are people to think about and
preparations to be made. Trips to visit or trips to the store for more food. The rush is on. The knock at the door may be hard to
hear. The voice of the Lord can be
drowned out by the frantic or the fun.
The familiar “Jesus is the Reason for the Season” seems so appropriate, but even the people who have the
bumper sticker or the mug with those words clearly
written on them often don’t hear the Lord knocking at the door. When Thanksgiving comes a short shout out to the Lord before the turkey gets cold is
about it. At Christmas maybe, a quick
nod His way before the festivities begin.
And Jesus waits for you to open the door.
You have probably thought about that before, but what is
there to do when there is so much to do?
A change of mental priorities could help followed by a flexible plan to
hear the Lord’s voice and open the door wide, so He is welcome to come in and
share in all that unfolds.
To Martha who was frustrated with all her hospitality responsibilities, Jesus said you are worried
about so many things, but only one is
important. To those listening to His
teaching about what is really important
in life, He said seek first God’s Kingdom
and His way and all those things you are so upset about will fall into
place. Paul deals with the general idea
of anxiety and says stop it. Just don’t
let it get you. Turn to the Lord. Pray.
Talk to the Lord about it. And
when you have shifted your mental priorities,
and your thinking is in line with the Lord then His peace floods your
soul. His peace in the middle of
preparing, planning, purchasing, and putting it together.
Often those who are faithful every
day to get time with the Lord turn back to the way they have always handled
holiday schedules and stress. Have you
noticed that? Devotions? Got no time for devotions! Prayer? Got no time for prayer! I’ve got to function before dysfunction
junction opens up a franchise.
Replace the worldly holiday thinking with heavenly thinking.
Be flexible. Of course, things are hectic, and plans have to
be made, and extra trips to the store happen
at strange times. Deep breath. Hear the knock at the door and hear Jesus’ voice.
Let Him in and sit down as friends. Early morning or late night or any other time around
the wonderful gatherings of the holidays. Let some other things sit out in the cold but not
Jesus.
Before the big day pray. You know who is coming and what may be coming with
them. Pray. On the big day pray. At the gatherings you have heard people’s stories,
concerns, likes and dislikes, hurts and achievements and now you have an opportunity
to pray specifically. Pray. People are near or far from the Lord. Pray. No
need to beat them down with a turkey leg. Pray. Let
the peace of the living God which is so unknown in the world flow through and around
you. Those who come into your presence on
the big day will know something of the goodness of God just by being with you.
Talking about the Lord with loved ones can be awkward at times.
But with God’s peace upon you it will be
different. As you have the opportunity to share of God’s love or the wonders
of Christ or the power of the Holy Spirit it will come from a true spirit of humility
and appreciation because of your God-centered priorities and flexibility. What you have to say about the Lord will go
down smooth like mashed potatoes and gravy rather than being forced and tough to
take like dry turkey.
Do you hear the knocking at the door? It’s Jesus. Do you hear Him now? Good. What
a wonderful time you are going to have during this joyous season of the year.
