12.5 “Come, Let Us Adore Him”

Thursday, December 5

“The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, ’Prepare ye the way of the Lord.  Make straight in the desert a highway for our God’.”      Isaiah 40:3*

How do we do prepare the way for Jesus?  For me, it starts with a genuine desire to see myself as I truly am.  I have found when I am ready to let go of my need to justify or minimize my sinful thoughts and ways and truly see them as Jesus does, He is faithful to show me.  He gently lifts the veil of my self-deception and reveals a pattern of thinking or a behavior that is actually hurting me.  Initially, there is a sting from this exposure followed by a deep sadness and regret for the ways I have fallen short.  But shortly thereafter, those feelings fade as I begin to experience the love and acceptance of my Restorer, His welcoming and open arms, and an enticing invitation.  “Now that you see, let’s work on this together.  I want you to live more freely.  This may take a while, but my Spirit is here to empower you.  We’ll do this together.  I will not leave you or forsake you.”  That prick evolves into a time of assurance, deeper awareness of Christ’s presence with me, and His overwhelming love for me.  It’s actually very sweet.

Preparing the way for Jesus is a lifelong activity.  Little by little, as our trust grows, we open the doors of our hearts wider and wider.  Through his love and power, Jesus reclaims what sin has stolen.

Prayer:

Jesus, I want to prepare the way for you.  Let me set aside time to sit at your feet, open my heart, and listen in earnest.  Enable me to see the beliefs and actions that need to be made straight so I can enjoy the intimacy with you for which I was created.  Thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit who empowers me to shed these things and conforms me to your likeness.  Thank you that this opportunity is available to me this Christmas and my whole life long.  In your precious name, Amen.

Lisa Christ