The Miracle of Margin

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I have been in the midst of a significant transition recently. After months of discernment, I came to a place of clarity that the Lord was leading me to step down from my position as a local church pastor and to focus full-time on the growing ministries of Spirit & Truth.

After founding Spirit & Truth in 2018 I raised support like a missionary and began working full-time serving in this equipping ministry. Then quite to my surprise a couple of years ago the church I had been attending for several years asked me to step in as the lead pastor. The transition of a long-time pastor, COVID, and denominational upheaval placed the congregation in a season of major change.

Having served in a similar role for years I sensed the Lord’s hand guiding me to step in and help lead us through. So over time, we worked out a shared role between the church and Spirit & Truth.

It has been a blessing. I do not regret accepting this role and helping to lead the church to where she finds herself now. It has not been easy, but by the grace of God we have seen some beautiful things. We made it through all that transition and the church is poised for an exciting future!

All that said, it personally took a toll. A church in transition takes time and energy. A growing non-profit like Spirit & Truth takes time and energy. So for more than two years, it felt like I had two full-time jobs, all while trying to stay faithful to my calling as a husband and father as well. That was hard.

After lots of conversation with my wife, lots of prayers, and the providential hand of God preparing the way for a new pastor on staff to take over leadership, a couple of months ago I realized it was time to move into a new season.

And here is the part I want to share with you today. The part that has amazed me the most. As I have handed over leadership to the new pastor I have found a gift that I had been missing. Margin. There is a tremendous blessing in having margin in your life. It holds miraculous power actually.

What I have found is that given more space to breathe…I have rediscovered how to dream again. I have found space to think more deeply. To work more on the vision for our ministry. To be more present with our family. Margin has very quickly given me so many gifts.

I know, but so often forget, that even Jesus needed margin too. He regularly retreated away from the crowds and activities of ministry to spend time with his heavenly Father. In between miracles, sermons, and dealing with demons, there was lots of simple walking, prayer times on mountains, and dinner with friends. Jesus lived with a sense of urgency but never seemed to be in a hurry. And he made space in his life to pray, to think, to be in community, and to be refreshed.

Last night I sat and read a book for 2 hours that I’ve been wanting to read for a couple of years. It was wonderful. And it was possible because I have margin in my life again.

It’s an interesting thing. I often deceive myself into believing that I am most productive when my time is filled to the max. But what I am re-learning is that actually, a schedule with no margin leads to inefficiency and less creativity. I quickly become a prisoner to the moment and live under the tyranny of the urgent. Intentional margin is a way to make space for real perspective and for deeper work (both in me and through me).

I am so grateful for this new season. Spirit & Truth is growing. I have never been more excited about how God is moving in this ministry. So many people are hungry for more of God. The Lord is stirring in beautiful ways. And I am able to see it and hear the Lord’s voice more clearly because of just a little more space in my life.

What about you? Perhaps it’s not quitting a job, but what is one thing you could do to create a little more margin in your life this week?