Margin

Posted by Jimi Williams on Feb 28, 2011 | 3 comments

I’m currently reading the book Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial, and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives by Dr. Richard Swenson. My sweet, caring wife told me to read it, which is a strong hint that perhaps the margins in my life are dangerously thin.

It certainly has caused me to slow down long enough to think about whether I’m driving the car or being dragged behind it. I get the feeling that a bunch of us skate this hazy line, crossing back and forth between sanity and stress.

The big question for me is “What does this mean”? I admit that I get too little sleep, spend more time thinking about tomorrow’s to-do list than enjoying the moment, and spend too much money and time commuting back and forth to work. But to what end? 

I know for our family, when our calendar fills up, things begin to break down. We’ve had to established a “3 night principle” where we will not commit to regular occuring activities outside the home more than 3 nights per week. This leaves at least 4 nights a week were we are home, eating dinner together and hanging out as a family.

The problem comes when extra activities start popping up: a sleepover, an unexpected meeting, birthday parties, etc. These are all good things, but added onto busy lives, they begin to erode our margins. We begin rushing from one thing to the next, we get short with our kids because we don’t want excuses we want action! Our finances get squeezed because it becomes easier to hit the pizza joint on the way home instead of cooking.

I have a theory that Satan loves busyness, even busyness filled with “good” things.  If I’m rushing to the next ministry activity, meeting or soccer game, I’m not hearing from God and I’m not available if He wants to change my schedule. I find it hard to commune with God when I’m thinking of all I have to get done.

So if Satan can just keep my mind and schedule busy, I don’t pose any great danger to his kingdom.

I know a bunch of you struggle with this as well. I see it on your faces during worship. You’re exhausted because you didn’t get enough sleep on Saturday night. You’re still recovering from the fight you had getting everyone to church. You’re distracted with your plans for the rest of the day. And the One you need most eludes you because you can’t receive it. I know, I struggle as well!

We have to make space in our lives for God and one another. If you don’t have time for both of these, then something needs to change.

Jimi Williams
Worship Pastor, The Bridge