DO YOU HAVE ROOM FOR GOD?

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Today I want us to reflect together on a simple yet profound question; a question that confronts us with the reality of our daily lives: Do you have room for God?

We live in a fast-paced world, a world that fiercely competes for our attention. The notifications on our phones, the daily demands of work, family responsibilities, the anxieties of life… everything clamors for a piece of our time, our energy, our heart. And in the midst of this whirlwind, it is easy, dangerously easy, for the One who gave us life, the One who loved us to the extreme, to be relegated to a corner, to a leftover space, if there is any at all.

The Word of God teaches us a fundamental truth: God is not a distant and foreign being. From Genesis, we see God walking in the Garden of Eden, seeking communion with Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:8). Throughout history, God has expressed his desire to dwell among his people: in the tabernacle in the desert, in the temple of Jerusalem.

And the culmination of this revelation is Jesus Christ. In John 1:14 we read: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” What a marvel! Almighty God, the Creator of the universe, chose to become man, to live among us, so that we could know him and have access to him.

But the question remains: if God desires to dwell with us, are we offering him a worthy place in our lives? Or, like the inn in Bethlehem, are we saying to him, “There is no room for you here”? Luke 2:7.

In Revelation 3:20, the Lord Jesus Himself says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” Brothers and sisters, Christ is at the door of our hearts, our homes, and our schedules! He doesn't force His way in. He knocks. He waits patiently for us to open the door.

What Do We Fill Our Spaces With?

Often, the problem isn't that we don't want God in our lives. The problem is that our “spaces” are already filled.

Our Minds: What thoughts do we feed our minds with? The eternal truths of God's Word, or the fleeting concerns of the world, anxiety, and empty entertainment?

Philippians 4:8 exhorts us: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” If our minds are filled with earthly things, how can there be room to meditate on His law, His promises, and His character?

Our Time: How do we invest the 24 hours God gives us each day? Do we prioritize moments of prayer, Bible reading, fellowship, and service? Or is our time consumed by excessive work, social media, and pastimes that distance us from His presence?

Ephesians 5:15-16 warns us: “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” Making the most of our time means redeeming it for God's purposes.

Our Heart: This is the most intimate space, the center of our being. What treasures do we hold there? Jesus said in Matthew 6:21, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." If our treasures are material possessions, human recognition, fleeting pleasures, then our hearts will be anchored to those things. But if our treasure is Christ, then our hearts will be filled with Him, and there will be a constant longing for His presence.

The Story of Martha and Mary: A Mirror for the Church

Let us recall the story of Martha and Mary in Luke 10:38-42. Jesus visits their home. Martha, "was distracted with much serving," anxious and busy to serve, to attend to others. Mary, on the other hand, "sat at Jesus' feet and listened to what he said."

Jesus did not rebuke Martha for her desire to serve. Service is vital in the Christian life. But He did point out her distraction, her anxiety, her having lost sight of what was most important. He said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Brothers and sisters, how often are we like Martha? We get caught up in church activities, in our ministries, in our responsibilities… and these are good things, necessary things! But we run the risk of losing the “good part”: intimate communion with Jesus, sitting at His feet to hear His voice. Making room for God is not just adding another activity to our schedule; it is cultivating a relationship.

Seeking the Kingdom First

The Word is clear about our priorities. In Matthew 6:33, Jesus gives us a command and a promise: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,

And all these things will be added to you.”

Seeking first the Kingdom of God means that He must occupy the throne of our lives. It means that His precepts, His values, His will, must guide our decisions, our ambitions, our plans. When God has first place, everything else falls into its rightful place.

Making room for God involves:

1. A Deliberate Commitment: It won't happen by accident. It requires a conscious decision to set aside time and energy for Him. Like Daniel, who even under threat of death, “three times a day knelt down and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously” (Daniel 6:10).

2. A Constant Discipline: Prayer, studying the Word, congregational and personal worship are not optional; they are essential spiritual disciplines that help us maintain that open space for God.

3. A Joyful Sacrifice: Sometimes, making room for God will involve giving up other things that seem important or pleasurable to us. But the The joy of His presence, the peace that surpasses all understanding, the wisdom that comes from above, are rewards that far outweigh any sacrifice. As the psalmist said in Psalm 84:10, "For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere." I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.”

A Call to Every Member of the Church

To young people: In the vitality of your youth, with so many options and paths ahead, are you making room for the One who has perfect plans for your life? Jeremiah 29:11. Don't let the world drown out God's voice. Ground your life in His Word.

To adults: In the midst of the pressures of work, family, and finances, are you finding refuge and direction in God's presence? Don't let anxiety steal the peace and perspective that only He can give. Be examples of a Christ-centered life.

As you walk with the Lord, continue to treasure His presence. Your testimony of faithfulness and dependence on God is a beacon for younger generations. Continue to intercede so that the church will always have room for Him.

To new believers: You have begun a wonderful journey. Make daily encounters with God a priority. From the very beginning, establish spiritual habits that will allow you to grow strong in faith and in the knowledge of the One who has called you.

To those who have been in the faith for a long time: Beware of routine. Beware of taking God's presence for granted. Revitalize your devotion. Seek a new encounter with Him. Does He still hold first place, or has He become just another habit?

The Decision Is Ours

The question, "Do you have room for God?" is not an accusation, but a loving invitation from our Heavenly Father. He longs to have fellowship with us. He longs to fill us with His Spirit, guide us with His wisdom, comfort us with His peace, and use us for His eternal purposes.

But we must make that space ourselves. He won't break in. He'll knock on the door.

Let us carry this question in our hearts. Let us honestly examine our lives. Where do we need to clear, organize, and prioritize to make more room for God?

Let it not be said of us that we were too busy for the King of kings. Let us not It may be said that our hearts were so full of the things of this world that there was no room for the Savior.

May our prayer be like that of Psalm 139:23-24: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

May the Lord give us the grace and wisdom to make Him the center of our lives, the master of our spaces, the deepest longing of our hearts. “For in His presence there is fullness of joy, and at His right hand are pleasures forevermore” Psalm 16:11.

Let us open the door. Let us make room for God.

God bless you!