Christmas. It feels like I’ve been in preparation for two months. And this may be because it has been just that long.
I am in the middle of doing Max Lucado’s Advent devotional, “Because of Bethlehem”, for the second time since the end of October. And may we not kid ourselves, our hearts need preparing time and time again.
How is it Max Lucado can make such a powerful point in so few words?
With much help from the Lord, his words are stripping my heart bare so I worship Him and Him alone. He calls us to make more time for worship and at the same time, leave no room in our hearts to worship anything more than Him.
God is on the hunt for those who will imitate the angels, for people who will open their hearts and mouths and declare, “Glory to God in the highest heaven.”
“The Father … is actively seeking such people to worship him.” (John 4:23, NCV)(taken from Day 19 of “Because of Bethlehem)
I brought it down to read like this:
God is on the hunt for those who will open their hearts and mouth and declare.
The question is asked if there are other things you worship more than God? He even lists a few suggestions. I think if we were just a tad bit honest, we would be able to say, there probably is something we may worship more than God. It can even be something good. But if it is usurping the place meant for God alone, it needs to be uprooted.
We often do prioritize other things over spending time with God. But I wonder if even the things which we allow to take priority, can vary from day to day. That word “priority” began to stir in my thoughts.
It brought to mind when one of the Pharisees asked Jesus this question found in Matthew 22:36: “Teacher, what is the greatest commandment?”
That word ‘greatest’ comes from the Greek word “protos” which is the root from which our English word ‘priority’ comes from.
Jesus’ reply truly tells us what should be our priority in life: “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment” (Matthew 22:37-38, NLT).
And there we have what should be our priority in life.
Then all else will fall into place … “Love your neighbor as yourself” … the second, and equally important command. Upon the two commands hangs all the Law and the Prophets.
One might say …
Advent brings us back to basics.
Love God. Love others.
