We believe in a God who is able to transform any story. Scripture tells us that Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith, yet so often we try to hold on to the pen ourselves. We say we trust Him, but we still want control over the narrative. Is there room for Jesus in our lives? Not just in theory, but in our schedules, our priorities, our wallets, and our hearts. As we reflect on the familiar Christmas story, we are reminded that surrender begins when we finally hand God the pen and let Him write.
Surrendering the Pen to the Author of Our Faith
If God is truly the author of our faith, then surrender means allowing Him to fill in the blanks. Surrender means trusting Him with the parts of our story that feel unfinished or uncertain. Luke 2 tells us that Mary gave birth to her firstborn son, wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn. That phrase, no room, echoes through the centuries and presses on our own lives today.
We often picture the innkeeper as the villain of the story. In plays and retellings, he is reduced to a single harsh line, “NO ROOM!” Yet the deeper question is whether we see ourselves in him. How often do we say to Jesus, no room? We might not say it out loud, but our lives often say it for us.
No Room at the Inn and No Room in Our Lives
It is easy to point fingers at the innkeeper, but many of us live the same way. We tell Jesus there is room on Sunday, but only for a limited time. We tell Him there is room in our lives, as long as He does not disrupt our plans. We might even say we give Him most of ourselves, while quietly holding back a portion we want to keep under our own control.
“No room” shows up in subtle ways. No room in our schedules because we are too busy. No room in our wallets because we want security. No room in certain areas of our lives because they feel private or off limits. We invite Jesus into the living room, but we lock the closet and hide what is under the bed. We trust Him with part of our lives, while password securing the rest.
The challenge is not whether Jesus is welcome somewhere, but whether He is welcome everywhere.
When Busyness Becomes an Excuse
It is possible the innkeeper was not cruel at all. Maybe there truly were no vacancies. Perhaps he even thought he was being gracious by pointing Mary and Joseph toward the stable. Still, the question lingers. Did he have room himself? Did he notice a woman on the brink of giving birth and consider opening his own space?
Busyness gives us an easy excuse to keep people and opportunities at a distance. We say we have plans, places to go, and responsibilities to manage. Over time, our crowded schedules become a shield that keeps God from interrupting us. Yet interruption is often where God does His greatest work.
Mary’s life was interrupted in a profound way, and her surrender changed history. Surrender always costs something, but it also opens the door for God to move.
Putting Self on the Shelf
You’ve heard of Elf on the Shelf, Snoop on a Stoop, or even Martha on the Mantle, but what about self on the shelf? Surrender ultimately requires us to put self on the shelf. Selfishness is not hard to find. It shows up in all of us when we protect our comfort and convenience. Making room for Jesus means learning to say yes to the Lord and no to self.
This is not just about possessions or money. It is about time, involvement, and availability. It is often easier to give out of abundance than to give sacrificially. Many of us are generous, and generosity is a gift. The deeper question is what sacrifices we are willing to make. Time is often more valuable to us than money, which is why we guard it so fiercely.
Scripture reminds us to be careful, because we may be entertaining angels unaware. When our lives are so full that there is no room for anyone else, we risk missing holy moments God places right in front of us.
Practical Applications: Creating Room for Jesus
We can begin by asking honest questions:
- Where have we told Jesus there is no room?
- What areas of our lives are we hesitant to surrender?
Making room might look like allowing God to interrupt our schedules. It might look like serving when it is inconvenient, giving when it stretches us, or slowing down enough to notice someone in need.
Pray regularly, “God, this is not my time or my life. It belongs to You.” Invite Him to fill every room, not just the ones that feel comfortable. When we surrender the pen, we allow God to shape our story in ways we never could on our own.
If this message stirred something in your heart, we invite you to continue the conversation with us at New Vision Church in Fayetteville, GA. We gather every Sunday morning at 10 AM at 479 Inman Road for Sunday worship, with plans to move to 9:45 AM in 2026 for even more time together. We are also excited to resume our 5:30 PM service in 2026 at 193 Johnson Avenue.
Whether you are looking for a church near me, a place to study the Bible, or a welcoming Christian community, you are invited to join us. There is room for you here, and there is always room for God to work.