By: Pastor Nathan Rogers

Do you know someone who is particular? We all know that person who has to have it a certain way because any other way is not right or is not to their standards.  

Then again, some go over the top with something to get it perfect (in their minds)…it might take them a day longer, but to them, it’s just right!  

Why do we spend so much time working, fretting, worrying over things that, in the big picture, may not matter? 

Believe it or not, I have fit every category I just mentioned at one point or another. Often, I find myself working on things to get them just right. The funniest part of it is, the things I worry about are usually the very things most people could care less about.  

I have often thought about this context in my walk with Christ. I look at what I have to bring during this Advent season. Sometimes we get so consumed with the details and busyness of this season in particular, we miss the bigger picture and the essence of why He came.  

If we could just understand, for a moment, that it’s not about having it all together or making sure everything is perfect but instead coming to Him with openness and brokenness–coming even in our inadequacies, failures, frustrations, bitterness. When we come to Him, in a moment, He can change our heart.  

When we look to Scripture, we see what this truly means. David was a man after God’s own heart.  He displayed his faith and was committed to the way of the Lord. Was his faith tested? Yes, in a very big way, and even he failed at times. But after he sinned, he looked to God for forgiveness. 

David loved the Lord and wanted to follow the law exactly and ultimately he received the Lord’s forgiveness. As a man after God’s heart, David becomes a role model for all of us.   

David recognized (Ps. 9:1) the Lord in his own writings, for instance, he was devoted to the Lord (Ps. 4:7), he was obedient (Ps. 119:34), repentant (Ps. 25:11), respectful (Ps. 31:9), loving (Ps. 18:1), trusting (Ps 27:1).

We know that David didn’t always get it all right, but the Psalms present evidence that show David displayed the attributes of a heart after God.  

One of my favorite verses in the carol “In The Bleak Midwinter” says;

What can I give Him, poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;

If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;

Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.

Let’s open our hearts to what Christ has for us this season.

Read more of this Advent Devotional and other Daily Pursuits at www.dailypursuits.blog