my schedule

“I don’t have time for that.”  Things come along each day that blindside us.  Things we don’t expect.  When we have some margin in our schedule, those happenings won’t get us off track.  But when we have no margin we are pressed harder and even de-railed from where we are headed.

I work with some awesome people.  These people are not just our staff at The Community Fellowship and at our Dream Center but some incredible volunteers help us every day.  I was at a meeting yesterday preparing for the hope4thehomeless5k run that will take place on Saturday, March 3rd.  One of these awesome volunteers spoke up.  I seemed frazzled and rushed.  She asked if I had much margin today.  Tough question.

The answer was no or not much.  The night before our water heater sprung a pretty bad lead at the house and had to be replaced.  The kids had stuff going on that evening and the next day.  Finances are tight.  Some problems are happening with people I care about.  All of those things point to the fact of having little to no margin in my schedule.

Ephesians 5:15-17 NLT

So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.

Wisdom says we need margin.  God tells us in these verses and in others to be careful how we live.  Our lives, mine included, is full and fast passed.  When someone asks me or us how we are, our answer much of the time is “busy, busy, busy” which seems normal.  But is that normal?

I continue to preach through this series called MARGIN at church, and there are a couple points from last Sunday’s sermon that I want to pass your way:

First, most of us are scheduling foolishly and not wisely.  We must learn to say “NO” to many GOOD things to say “YES” to the BEST things.

Second, if you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten.  If you want something different, you have to do something different.

Do we want something different?  Would we rather keep getting little done or really make a difference in our lives and in those around us?  If we want to make a difference, it is clear that we are going to have to do something different in our schedules.

Matthew 6:33 NASB

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Romans 12:2 NASB

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

The choice is ours.  Run our schedules or let our schedules run us.  The choice is ours.  Do what we’ve always done and get what we’ve always gotten. 

It is time that my schedule allows me to work and be part of the best things.  Now take a look at your schedule.