Margin

I’m writing this blog post from the comfort of my “local” Starbucks. Sitting here I thought about what a difference 10 years of learning has done for me. There was a time when I first entered the ministry that I felt bad if people saw me between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. not in the office or sitting in some elderly person’s home visiting with them. I thought they might think I wasn’t working and I pushed myself to constantly work. The result was a lack of margin in my time and more stress built up within me.  Fortunately, I don’t let people’s thoughts or opinions control my life as much anymore. I’ve learned that the pastorate is not a 9-5, 5 days a week, kind of job; I have to find margin where I can get it. If I over extend myself and I have no margin then when a need/crisis occurs my stress level reaches an unhealthy level. When I have margin in my time it allows me to respond to ministry needs/crisis when they occur in a healthy manner.

Those not in professional ministry need to find margin where they can get it as well. If we have no space in our time, then when the opportunity to minister to others comes along or when a crisis occurs we don’t have the emotional ability to respond properly. How about carving some time out and giving yourself some margin? Read a few less blogs today, watch one less TV show each night this week, watch one less sporting event, say “no” to requests for your time that don’t bring you joy and bless others, etc. When you give yourself margin you will find that you are much more productive at what God has called you to do and more able to respond to the needs of others around you.