With one child studying abroad and the other working full time, the task of driving the twin’s car back home fell on me and John. So last week we headed up to Virginia and began the trek back to Florida. We had to first make a stop in D.C., so by the time we reached Richmond, it was after midnight and we had been traveling for 15 hours. Dog-tired, we pulled off I-95 and looked for the closest hotel. Eyes drooping as we leaned on the counter, we learned that the South Atlantic Men’s Volleyball Tournament was being held nearby and the hotel was completely booked. The clerk at the registration desk kindly offered to call around and see if he could find us an available room. Tears of exhaustion threatened as I heard the words ‘fully booked’ over and over.   It made me think of Mary and Joseph and the exhaustion and discouragement they must have felt on that holy night when they heard that there was no place for them at the inn. Despite the possibility of a missed opportunity on the part of the innkeeper, Christ came.

In John 6:44, Jesus says, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.”

Today, the Father is at the door looking for a place in our heart. He is drawing us to a relationship with Him. What is our response? Do we invite Him in, or do we say, “sorry, there is no room, we are fully committed”? God calls us to believe that the best is yet to come. When we look over the dreams and realities of our lives, will we choose to believe that? Will we choose to believe our life can be a miracle in the making?

God is not calling us to love our families, friends, or life less, He is calling us to love Him more. When we do that, we are changed for the good. Instead of letting the present culture drag you down, set your daily activities as an offering to the Lord and let Him lift you up! In Romans 12:2, Paul tells us, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (NLT)

If you are hearing the call of God, answer it! Be chosen! Be faithful! Let Him “accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think” in us, “according to His mighty power.” Don’t settle for less than His best!