Is it only me or have you found that the more we look around, the more we see that people are struggling? My husband has frequently said that if you are not depressed, you are not paying attention. How come our religious seasonal cards are the only place where love, peace and joy can be found consistently?

I really believe that our anger, anxiety and depression are not only a result of our outward circumstances, but also a result of having a lack of margin in our lives. If we define boundaries as how closely we allow people or things to approach us, then margins are those imaginary lines of how far we are willing to ex- tend ourselves. If someone crosses our personal space or boundaries, we be- come uncomfortable (and in extreme cases, violated). In contrast, we determine the parameters of our margins. When there is no margin, we have limited ability to cope with broken cars, crying kids or sick pets. Instead of scheduling in for quality control, we find ourselves crying out for more time, better organizational skills and greater support. But what if we miraculously had the ability to schedule spare time, how would we fill it?

There is a saying, “If the devil can’t make you bad, he will make you busy.” For some, this statement is true. We can become so busy that we do not make time or even have time to give God a thought. We rationalize, justify and make excuses that we are too busy to make God a priority. Busyness looks like productivity and it makes us feel needed. However, busyness is defined in each of our lives differently, however, that definition should take God in to account.


His perspective

By maintaining God's perspective, it is not about the crises but how the Christ can move through each circumstance to give meaning and purpose. Learning to talk to Him instead of yourself changes your perspective. When I find myself maxed out, I pray. When I find myself too tired to think, I pray. When I find myself too full from dinner to move, I pray. Prayer gives me the cushion I need to get a Sovereign viewpoint and to ask Him to move in everything and to move me to serve Him anywhere.
I am co-founder of a women’s nonprofit and a media company. Both keep me busy, and people ask me frequently, “How do you do it all?” I cannot say that I have always liked or even enjoyed being busy outside of the home. But I was challenged to move out of my comfort zone and not only increase my borders, but to expand my margins when hearing Charles Spurgeon’s comment on Romans 13:10, “Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” He said, “No man can compass the ends of life by drawing a little line around himself upon the ground. No man can fulfill his calling as a Christian by seeking the welfare of his wife and family only, for these are only a sort of greater self.” 

Outside of self
I have spent many days being busy only with shopping, laundry, vacation planning and house deco- rating. In that season of life, I spent my energy in the things that were a continued extension of my greater self. I realized that being busy with family things only kept me loving and serving the things I already love. I do not need to be spirit led or dependent upon God to love those who love me back. However, adding a responsibility that helps to serve those outside my heart’s desire has allowed me to grow and love in a completely different way.