FINDING ROOM (Christmas Collection)
Every December, I hoped to be awarded the role of Mary in the church Christmas play.
In my estimation, Jesus’s mother had a relatively easy part. She didn’t have to shoulder the burden of sheep, gifts, or logistics. She had to give birth, fluff the hay a little, and bask in the glory of the Newborn King.
But I soon discovered that we don’t always get to pick the parts we play on stage or in life.
The Director assigns our roles.
One morning, I reluctantly accepted the role of innkeeper in our family’s depiction of the Christmas story.
Though the script called for joy, gratefulness, and a willingness to serve, I acted like the original character.
“No room!”
God’s version of Christmas didn’t fit inside my head.
Stubborn as a stable mule, I continued to raise the bar on my expectations of how the story should unfold. I scrubbed each floorboard, determined to set the stage for a Heavenly holiday.
But all hell broke loose when the first doorbell rang, and a rag-tag bunch of divinely sent travelers left a trail of muddy, slushy footprints across my perfectly polished Christmas for years to come.
Every time the curtain went up, I had no choice but to step onto the stage and take my cues from the Director. One year, I found I was looking forward to hosting my guests. I even improvised a little, stepping out of the box and confidently working the stage.
“C’mon in! Don’t take off your shoes!” I said.
Lines popped out of my mouth, and laughter filled my heart. Suddenly, my God-given role as innkeeper almost felt natural.
But in truth, it was divine.
It was no longer me up on the stage; it was Jesus.
As Director, God writes our stories for His glory and our good. He places unskilled actors in tight spots and awkward scenes to bring out the best in us, which is Him.
“Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Col 1:27
God’s keen eye selected you for this part long before you stepped on the world’s stage.
Take it from the girl who almost declined the most pivotal act of her life. The Director knows what He’s doing.
Whatever role you find yourself in this season, open your heart to God’s direction and let Jesus shine through you.