Lord, Your prophet calls to prepare the way, and today I ask You: how am I to prepare the path to my own heart?
I come before You with a heart full of plans. Just as I recently rejoiced over a day that was nearly empty in my calendar, so today I rejoice in this morning. I thought I would have time to prepare for You, to order my thoughts, to write down everything I must.
But You know how quickly my plans vanish. Unexpected errands, unannounced visits, small distractions… all of it conspires against my “perfect” day. And so the evening ends with a feeling of anxiety, because I am once again a step closer to Your coming, yet I feel so very unprepared.
Your prophet John cries out: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” This call is not just for others, but for me, today. You are telling me that You are coming and that things are about to change. But what kind of preparation do You desire from me?
I know how to prepare for a celebration with friends and family. Baking, cleaning, shopping. But I know this is not the preparation John speaks of. Your path is not prepared by decorating the outside to hide my brokenness, but by removing the obstacles within my heart. You ask of me: “Let every heart prepare Him room.” Help me to create space for You; help me to have a clean heart and a renewed spirit.
Lord, there are so many things in my heart that I must remove. One of them is judging others. I constantly try to put people into boxes: what their faith is, what their political preferences are, whether they will be in my way or not. Cleanse me of this habit, which tarnishes the holiness in my heart.
Another is despair over the state of the world. War, hatred, greed, and indifference overwhelm me. My wounded heart often becomes cynical, selfish, and full of fear.
But You speak to me:
“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32)
Lord, I long to be prepared. I long for repentance. I long to name and confess everything that dwells in my heart but is not from You—everything that stems from my fear and self-interest. For how can I hear the good news that in You my sins are forgiven, if I do not first admit that I need forgiveness?
Help me to open myself to Your transformation, so that Your promise may be fulfilled in my life:
“Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough places shall become level ways.” (Luke 3:5)
I know that it is difficult to forgive, but sometimes it is even harder to accept forgiveness. It requires me to be vulnerable, to admit: “I am sorry, I have failed.” God, can You forgive me? Can I be open to Your forgiveness, so that my heart may be changed?
I believe in Your promise, Lord:
“And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 36:26)
I remember, Lord, the moments when I thought I was perfectly prepared, yet I had forgotten the most important thing. Like the time I was late for my own sermon because I forgot to change my clock. I expected judgment and anger, but in response, I received smiles, laughter, and the question: “How were the doughnuts?”
On that day, grace was born in my heart. On that day, forgiveness was born. On that day, You were born, Lord, and Your love was so much greater than I was prepared for. This is the love that You bring.
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.” (1 John 4:7)
Therefore, I ask You today, Creator, do not leave me alone. Come to me, Emmanuel, God with us. Prepare my heart to receive You—in Your time and in Your way. May Your love surprise me again and again.
Amen.
10 Full Christian Movies You Can Watch for FREE (Right Now!)
1.9K views