I am finding that truly less is more. In a world where “more” is applauded and “more” is even the desire of our own hearts, I am finding this is a very good...lie of the enemy. Did that blow your mind for a minute? It’s ok…it blew mine at first too:)

I have been in this place..in this new season. It’s not like I haven’t always sought the Lord once He came for me. But now it’s different somehow. He has given me “margin.” Margin in my life for His supernatural desires to come forward. The busyness was muffling His voice, the never stopping merry go round of good activities was stifling His work in me..and through me.

Now it’s back to basics. Pray and Wait for His Word, His direction, and His heart’s desires. Because those who know me know I am pretty much a doer.. if I feel the remote possibility God wants something…it’s a green light for GO! Don’t get me wrong, Faith is still required and I still do walk on in that moment.. But now I have created margin. I am learning the good from the best..the busyness from Satan versus the call from God. There is a huge difference. One brings life while the other may very well bring death. Fatigue, weakness, overwhelmed to-do lists. All of these I know very well. It’s simply striving versus abiding.

This nature of my relationship with Christ has been in this type of training with songwriting and magazine publishing. Because the natural skill is not there, I have learned not to fret but when He wants to write a song or pull together a magazine..He will stir, He will write, He will do it all. Honestly, when He does it..it is quite easy. His breath alone comes with such peace and ease. Now, I am not saying God never calls us to a hole digging, deep water stepping, snow plowing moment..I have known those too. But I am wondering that as time nears in our world of pivotal changes we have never seen before….is He after margin…stillness…more prayer. MUCH FRUIT! Prepare yourself…because this process will require a “cutting away.” It can be very painful at times. But the beauty He says will be magnificent:)

I ran across this great definition of “Margin..”

Margin is the space between our load and our limits. It is 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.

Margin is the opposite of overload. If we are overloaded we have no margin. Most people are not quite sure when they pass from margin to overload. Threshold points are not easily measurable and are also different for different people in different circumstances. We don’t want to be under-achievers , so we fill our schedules uncritically. Options are as attractive as they are numerous, and we overbook.

If we were equipped with a flashing light to indicate “100 percent full,” we could better gauge our capacities. But we don’t have such an indicator light, and we don’t know when we have overextended until we feel the pain. As a result, many people commit to a 120 percent life and wonder why the burden feels so heavy. It is rare to see a life prescheduled to only 80 percent, leaving a margin for responding to the unexpected that God sends our way.

Margin is not something that just happens. You have to fight for it.

Whew..see what I mean now? The lack of margin and the presence of the enemy’s drive (The Lord leads..the enemy pressures and drives us) will cause decisions that are not from the Lord. Hasty decisions that the enemy wants us to make to stifle the power of the Lord in a situation. I am certain the enemy has loosed an all out war against the Saints and the plans He has seen start to form. Unfortunately, many times even the elect are deceived..you and I. Until we look back..we do not even recognize it. Yet I am seeing that it generally happens in the environment of confusion and chaos where busyness has overshadowed prayer and the patient seeking of God’s heart.

Oh what happens when we create margin? We create room for the wooing of the Holy Spirit. We create empty time where God can interject into our daily plans. For example, this week while out I was able to give the gospel in the midst of my day. It came suddenly and unexpectedly as a discussion arose regarding believing in God…while not believing in Christ the Savior. Which frankly, has become very “normal” in our culture. The Lord opened the door for a conversation that while a bit uncomfortable and challenging…at least planted seeds…only because I had some margin..

I have asked the Lord this question in my closet recently..”Lord, what are we doing?”  It seems we are so busy..even in church..that we really never include God’s plans…only our own. Margin personally and margin within our gatherings must occur for God to move…for God to declare..for God to choose. Margin…time…room for God. Otherwise, we will implement many things birthed of flesh only and not of the Spirit. In essence, we will have much going on..yet no Power behind it to have any effect on people.

Do you need margin? Ask Him…He will answer. Then let Him show you what goes and what stays…What is Him and what is not..

Awwww..I want more of God and His movement and heart. ..Less busy and more blessings!..Less branches that don’t bear MUCH fruit! Less noise..more of His voice! Less of me..more of Him! Less of my own desires..more of His! Less good..more best! Less flesh…more Spirit:)…all of this means MORE MARGIN!

John 6:63

It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing…