Bethlehem is not where I would have chosen to start if I were the Messiah (which thankfully I am not!) Bethlehem is a small backwoods town. I definitely would not have chosen a barn to be born in, a peasant 13-year old to bring me into the world, or a feeding trough to be my crib. Again, I am so thankful it was not up to me.

God chose those places and those people to remind me that where you start is not nearly as important as how you finish. God started from the most meager, humblest place imaginable  and became an infant who would become the Savior who would literally change everything after Him.

That means, that if we give God even only the smallest of openings into our lives, He can enter in and transform us from the inside out. He can transform our world through His Spirit in us. He can do outright miracles through even our tiniest steps toward obedience.

“God needs only a little of our agreement in order to work mighty wonders” (Calvin Miller).

God, I give you a broken, messed-up pile of rubbish that the world has thrown away. I give you me. My life. All my ugly failures and wretched stains and good intentions gone to hell. I give you the rest of my life for you to do whatever You want in me, wherever You want,  whenever You want, however You want. I’m all Yours.

I am making room for You this Advent season. Not just in my home, but in my heart. Come and reign with Your peace over me. Use me until I am all used up. Shine through me until the world around me is saturated with Your love.

I am nothing, Jesus, and You are everything. Thank You for invading my life and never relenting or giving up on me!