Margins

When I was the editor of my high school yearbook, I learned a lot about margins. Our editing team was sent to a workshop at the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater. We learned the ins and outs of making a publication look good. One key to a great publication was not what was ON the page. It was what was NOT on the page. We were taught to make sure there was enough "white space" for the reader. If there was too much clutter, the reader would be overwhelmed, become frustrated, and give up on trying to navigate the content of the page. Margins made for effective communication.

Do you have "white space" in your life? Do you have margins that allow for flexibility, rest, creativity, spontaneity, and deep communion with God? Or are you cramming everything in, running out of time to do what's important, and stressing about how crazy and unpleasant life is?

A few years ago Dr. Richard Swenson wrote a book called "Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial, and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives." In it, he highlights the absolute clutter and mire we experience in this broken world. He calls us back to a life that allows God to work His plan for us. Dr. Swenson offers refreshment and restoration.

That's what Jesus did when He summoned His disciples away from the hubbub in Mark 6:31. The Apostle tells us: "Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, [Jesus] said to them, 'Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.'"

God created the world and established margins--a rhythm of rest that defined the healthy and soul-growing rhythm of His people. God wants you to be a healthy servant, a shining light of balance and godliness to a broken, fragmented, cluttered, and distracted world.

If you need to grow in discovering good Spirit-led margins, come hear Dr. Richard Swenson speak at the 2010 Professional Church Workers' Conference, November 21-23, 2010 at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, San Antonio, TX. If you're a Missional Worker in South Texas, you can register in the "Emeritus or Vicar" category. Register online or download a registration form at the Texas District, LCMS PCWC conference site. Hotel info is also available at the website.

Find some "white space" on the pages of your life. See what God will do with your margins!