Every time it snows, I wait for my opportunity. When the house is quiet and dark, I tiptoe into the living room and curl up mesmerized in the big front window to watch the flakes fall silently — blanketing the ground, trees, and houses — muting the world. Is that a rabbit peering from the edge of the trees?
These are sacred moments. The blue light of my phone and the voices competing for my attention are traded for the yellow light of the moon and hushed white clusters streaming to the earth. I sigh relief.
I feel small, and I remember One who made Himself small. Jesus who “became flesh and made His dwelling among us” {John 1:14}. I can hear Him better sitting in this stillness. I wait in anticipation.
In the quiet, I realize, and maybe you do too, that I have become full. And not in a good way. Full of expectations for this season, full of plans and pulls. Full of Facebook and Instagram — I just can’t seem to put them down. Full of myself and what I want. I’m so filled up that I can’t put anything else in.
When I feel like this, I know what I need to do, but sometimes I need someone else to confirm it. So if you need confirmation, too, you have it from me. I have to empty myself of me and make room for Jesus. I must turn off the distractions, even some good ones, so I can focus on the One who is most important.
I pour it all out on paper — confess what’s been swirling around in my head, plaguing me. Maybe it’s not paper for you — maybe you talk out loud or play the guitar or paint, but our prayers of confession come out. I ask for forgiveness and He gives it.
And I ask Him to come: Emmanuel, God with Us, come fill this season and my heart. I’m sweeping out the clutter — setting my phone notifications to “Off” and logging out of all those accounts that distract me.
I want to hear Him so I can be like Him.
“He made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” {Philippians 2:7}
I want to be like Him this Advent. Less of me and more of Him. Less looking at my phone and more looking at my family’s eyes. Less “what I want” and more “how can I serve?”
It all begins in the stillness.
[linebreak]
Related: Enjoy the beauty of God’s wonder while basking in the soft glow of candlelight with this elegant wooden candlestick set.
Leave a Comment
Jas says
Beautiful
Lauren DeVries says
Thank you, Jas – have a blessed Advent 🙂
Samantha-Brian Franklin says
Amen
Rebecca Jones says
I love that, the one who made Himself small. I remember feeling that way bout a family crisis, no one would listen to me, but I know He did. And emptying yourself for Him is great but He wants to complete us as well. He gave us all some talent or gift.
Lauren DeVries says
Yes – I love that about Him – that He always listens.
Lovelle says
Lauren,
This is so beautiful and I relate to this so much! In the world we live in it’s easy to become “full” because this world tells us it’s all about us. Thank you for this beautiful reminder to have Christ empty us and show us what really matters.
~ Lovelle from (in)courage
Lauren DeVries says
Ach – I know… I was feeling so overwhelmed last week especially by all the online shopping emails – inbox full of “buy this!” and “you need this!” Really we just need Jesus. Thanks for reading, Lovelle 🙂
Lovelle says
It’s my pleasure 🙂
Cherry says
So beautiful – thank you for sharing. I completely identify with you – and need to pull aside continually. For me – it’s the quiet, and the pen to paper that draws me back. And His Word, always.
Beth Williams says
Lauren,
Such beauty! We need to empty ourselves of this world–the commercialism and all the distractions. We need to be still, quiet then we will be able to hear him and let Him fill us up with His love, grace and mercy!!!
Blessings 🙂