2022 08 11

Good morning.

"I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil.” (Job 3:26)

This could well be the summary of the culture we live in today. Notwithstanding this, society tells us, work longer hours; sleep less; spend more money and stretch to a better lifestyle.

God didn’t design us to live with sustained extremes. God designed us to have margin.

Margin is the amount of time, money, etc. we hold back. “Calendar margin” means reserving time for rest, for solitude, for other people. “Financial margin” means living within our means, even changing our lifestyles, if necessary. “Work margin” means focusing on what we’re made to do, and excluding the things we aren’t.

Margin is a gift. We may try to convince ourselves that there is value in extremes (more status, more comfort) but there is much more value in margin (relationships, restoration, joy, peace) which is essential for us to live healthy, productive lives, and which is necessary for us to let God's love flow through us to those around us.

Jesus said, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:33)

Today, let each of us reevaluate our own lives and make the necessary changes to build margin into our lives.

Blessings.

Mike and Daphne