Wednesday - "Regret"

Luke 2:6-7 (TV) ...accompanied Joseph. While in Bethlehem, she went into labor and gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped the baby in a blanket and laid Him in a feeding trough because the inn had no room for them.

Regret. Ever have any? Have some now?

Imagine being that innkeeper the night Jesus was born. He had the opportunity to have the Savior of the world's birth in his hotel...but missed out on it because he claimed he had no room inside. Was it Mary's fraying robes or Joseph's appearance that convinced him to turn them out to the barn? Could it have been that he just didn't want to be inconvenienced by the crying baby waking up his other guests? Maybe it was because they didn't look wealthy enough...or influential enough... or maybe he was just in a bad mood.

In any case, the innkeeper missed it. A missed opportunity. A blown chance.

Regret. Every have any? Have some now?

You and I make so many decisions each and every day. We talk to friends, family members, co-workers...each time...an opportunity to influence a heart...change a mind...let Christ in. My question this morning is....how many times do we blow it. Make excuses. Snap judgments. We lose so many opportunities to let Christ in...to allow Him to get actively involved in our lives...or the lives of those we care about. Jesus knocks...but it is inconvenient to let Him in so we don't. The Holy Spirit nudges and we ignore it. Is it because we have to change our thoughts...or our words...or our moods...?

Christmas is a time to remember that beautiful baby in the manger. The Savior of the world! But we also need to remember that the innkeeper had a chance to become part of history in a positive way...but Jesus was just a liability for him and he missed it. Don't let the same thing happen...when you feel Him knocking this Christmas, in any aspect of your life, open the door.

You won't regret it.

See you tomorrow,
Pastor Brian