Read Matthew 8:5-13. Do you have to remove some of your usual furniture and ornaments to make room for your Christmas tree and decorations? Jesus’ nativity would find no room in our house if we didn’t remove some ornaments first!
Suffering, failure and loss of control can often help us to make room for Jesus inside of us. In our story today, it was the Roman Officer’s servants terrible illness that brought the centurion out of his comfort zone to invite Jesus into his home. Unheard of for an occupying army, I’m sure!
The pursuit of happiness is self-centred and easily toppled by the ups and downs of life. Both sides of life – light and darkness – are necessary to help us grow and mature. In fact, I have found my failures have much more to teach me than my successes do!
Our own suffering and our capacity to share in the suffering of others has an immense capacity to ensure we have made room for Jesus in our lives. When problems arise, let’s learn to allow it to transform us rather than try to resist it. Let’s make more room for God.
THINK IT OVER
Think about the following:
•What are you attached to in life that you need to let go of to make more room for God?
