My Heart

I was struck yesterday with an interesting thought that I would like to share with you.

I was considering the conditions into which Jesus came into the world. The environment was hostile, dark, scary, oppressive. His manger was probably cold, stinky, prickly. However, Mary and Joseph's arms were warm, soft and inviting. The evening was filled with light, hope, rejoicing in the midst of the oppressive times.

I think about my heart...about Jesus making it his dwelling place. I don't have to clean up my act in order for him to live there and love me. Just because sometimes it's stinky, filled with my human longing and greed doesn't mean he passes me by. Sometimes my life is prickly and oppressive, maybe dark and even empty...yet he still dwells there. He loves me despite my broken condition. In my brokenness he is then able to come in and create a warm, inviting and soft place for not just him, but others...those he calls me to love despite their condition.

I want to welcome him into my life despite what I use to fill me. I want his redemption, hope and salvation. Thank God he came the way he did...humble. It reminds me of the heart he wants for his indwelling Spirit.