To grow to be like Emmanuel who is God incarnate, requires an ongoing exchange–the surrendering of our will for God’s will. We must step away from our desires, feelings, and opinions in order to prepare the way of the Lord and make room in our innermost being to freely receive and submit to His ever-streaming presence that will transform us into glorious partakers of His divine nature.

The routine of rationalized religion rarely results in radical heart change. It may occasionally raise an eyebrow but seldom rouses a spiritual sleeper. Instead of disturbing all Jerusalem like the newborn Jesus did it caters to and coddles human nature. Now is the time for Christ-followers to stir up the gift that is within us until it breaks out of us as gushing rivers heavenly radiance.

Christianity shouldn’t be like a tethered hot air balloon. It should be freely soaring with the wind of the Spirit. When I’m tethered to my own desires, I’m unable to be directly led by God’s Spirit.

When the human heart is like a capped oil well and God’s living water isn’t allowed to freely flow, religion is but an empty and powerless glove. Christianity isn’t a invitation to snuggle into comfortable religion. It’s a call to take an inner, life-lasting journey toward the kingdom of God.

A banana peel is a poor replacement for a banana. Religious routine is a poor substitute for heart intimacy with the risen Jesus.

“Jesus is Lord!” is the elephant in the room. It makes people uncomfortable to hear about the accountability He requires of them.