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That’s What He Said
Hey Guys,
I came across an amazing blog post this week and wanted to share it with you all.
Aaron.
Don’t Wait on It. Create It.
by Clayton King
Every pastor, every leader, every parent and spouse struggles with finding time in their lives for reflection, rest, fun, and prayer. I call it MARGIN.
Here is where we go wrong: WE WAIT ON IT TO COME TO US.
The problem is, it NEVER comes to us. We operate under a false assumption that one day soon, we will be completely caught up with work and ministry, all the emails will be sent and all the phone calls will be returned. Once that day comes, when there are no emergencies to deal with or last-minute staff meetings, then…then the margin will magically appear and we will magically relax, refresh, and re-connect with God, our kids, our mate. This will never ever happen, no matter how many times you wish upon a star.
DON’T WAIT on margin. You must CREATE margin.
The rules of the game, if you are a leader of any sort, is that you DESTROY margin. It is your nature. You are constantly doing something, thinking about an issue, creating a sermon series, pre-writing the next book, rehearsing the next staff meeting. By your very nature you cannot stand to have free, uncluttered time just sitting around. You want to fill it up with productivity.
This mindset will eventually kill you if you don’t learn to create space in your life. Don’t try to change who you are. Continue leading and pastoring and teaching and serving, but pre-empt the future destruction by planning to be faithfully leading 40 years from now. Do that by creating spaces in your daily routine where you disconnect from EVERYTHING and sit still and quiet. Turn off your phone for 10 minutes. Read one verse out loud from Proverbs. Close your eyes in your office or study and center your thoughts on Christ, the cross, your wife, or your precious children.
Utilize your assistant or secretary by telling them that you are not to be disturbed for a short time. If you don’t have that luxury, just disappear to a quiet place…a coffee shop or a public park or the grove of trees in your backyard. Once you’re there, breathe deep, talk to Jesus, sing a worship chorus or an old hymn, or just be still and quiet. Do what calms you down, find what you enjoy, and do it religiously. Don’t ask permission. Just do it.
You will NEVER create big margin in your life (for vacations or sabbaticals) until you can create small ones on a regular basis.
October 14th, 2009 at 11:16 am
Amen to that!
I was talking about this to a friend of mine last week, who works at a youth ministry. She was saying how it’s crazy busy, and she’s really involved with her church on Sundays, and sometimes feels like she has to work Saturdays as well. I told her that as leaders we often feel like resting and refreshing is taking time away from our work/ministry. The idea of “creating balance” is usually framed this way.
I told her that I don’t buy into “creating balance”. I just know that if I’m going to be able to do any job effectively, I’ll need time off to refresh. It’s something I need to do in order to do my job, so I consider it a part of the job. Admittedly, it’s a relaxing, fun part of the job, but it’s very much necessary. And if I think of it as part of my work, I don’t feel like I’m unproductive.