CREATING HEALTHY MARGIN IN YOUR LIFE
MARGIN – making room for what really matters!
Margin is one of those things that I was introduced to as a young kid in art class when the art teacher would tell me not to draw in the margins or in other words, “don’t draw outside the lines.” I was not very good in art. I would have definitely been a “starving artist.” I could draw within the lines, but you wouldn’t have wanted to see what I drew between the lines. I was awesome at drawing stick-figures, but who purchases a portrait of stick-figure?
Margin is more than just about art. It is more than setting you margins on your laptop when creating a document. Margin is about staying within the lines and limits for your life. Most of us don’t like to admit it, but we have limits as to what we can do, what we are good at, the resources available to us and on our time. God didn’t design us with endless energy, resources and time. I think one of the reasons He didn’t was to remind us to rely on Him.
Even Jesus when in human form had limits. He would often slip away from the pressures of ministry to get alone to pray with His Father to renew his energy and vision. Jesus was very clear about what He came to do. He was very clear about what His life was about, and also, what it was not about.
In our world, and especially during this year and a half with the pandemic raging on, people are more stressed, more anxious, more distracted and more fatigued than ever. Most times when I ask someone how they are doing, you know the answer I get? “I am super busy!” People take great pride in being busy, in multi-tasking, and in “doing it all.” Is it no wonder that people are exhausted? Then add that people are on their phones constantly (yes, even while driving down the highway at 70mph!), have access to 24/7 new feeds and social media; is it any wonder that people are busy, weary and often doing everything but really matters in their lives.
Building a healthy margin into your life, helps reduce stress, allows you to get re-energized, and helps you focus on what really matters in your life. What exactly is margin? Here is my favorite definition:
Margin is the space between our load and our limits. It’s the amount allowed beyond that which is needed. It is something held in reserve for contingencies or unanticipated situations. Margin is the gap between rest and exhaustion, the space between breathing freely and suffocating. - Richard A Swenson, M.D.
Margin is the remedy for the LIES WE BELIEVE that steal our joy, peace and purpose. Here are some of those deadly lies:
I CAN DO IT ALL
I CAN BE ANYTHING I WANT
I CAN MAKE EVERYONE IN MY LIFE HAPPY
I MUST ALWAYS STAY CURRENT WITH THE NEWS & SOCIAL MEDIA
TIPS FOR CREATING MARGIN!
Assess your physical, emotional, financial and spiritual resources regularly. You don’t just drive your car forever without stopping for gas or an oil change (at least you better not or you won’t be driving it too long)
Saying “No” is okay…in fact it is more than okay. For a healthy life and to really be able to help other people, you sometimes have to say “no” to lesser things so you can say “Yes” to what really matters.
Schedule free time – not easy to do, but necessary. Remember life isn’t a sprint, but a marathon!
Never add something to your life without deleting something of lesser importance
Finally, WHY IS MARGIN IMPORTANT?
Here is the bottom line answer: When you have no margin in your life, you are never the best version of yourself. You know when you are really stressed and your calendar is busting at the seams, you are neither pleasant to be around nor are you living out your goals. Keep in mind, even God took a day off! That said, when we create some margin in our life, we will have:
A Better Attitude
Be More Inspiring and Encouraging to Others
Live By Our Priorities
Have Healthier Relationships
And Have Time to Include God in Our Lives
Let me ask you, wouldn’t you really want to live like this rather than the rat-race you see so many people living? You can begin to move in that healthier direction by examining your life and schedule and seeing how and where you can create some margin for your life. You will be the best for it!
I’m praying you find the margin for your life that God designed for you to have!
Until next month, God bless you!
Jack
