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Mariginisthespacebetweenthestuffthatmakesthestuffworthwhile.

Margin is the space between the stuff that makes the stuff worthwhile.

Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered\u2014how fleeting my life is. Psalm 39:4 (NLT)

We cannot manage time; we can only manage ourselves within the boundaries of time we have been given.

The quickest way for something important to lose it\u2019s significance, is to eliminate the space around it.

Margin is the distance between where we are and our limits.

Yet the news about him spread all the more,\xa0so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses.\xa0 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke 5:15-16 (NIV)\xa0

3 Roadblocks to Living with Margin

Our culture celebrates BUSYNESS.

Do not conform\xa0to the pattern of this world,\xa0but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.\xa0Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)

Then you will be able to test and approve what God\u2019s will is\u2014his good, pleasing\xa0and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)

\u201cSpeed is the single greatest threat to a healthy life.\u201d \u2013 Brady Boyd (From his book, Addicted to Busy)

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life,\xa0and have it to the full. John 10:10 (NIV)\xa0

A BUSY life does not equate a FULL life.\xa0

We mistake MOVEMENT for forward PROGRESS

Unless the\xa0Lord\xa0builds\xa0the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the\xa0Lord\xa0watches\xa0over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.\xa0 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food\xa0to eat\u2014for he grants sleep\xa0to\xa0those he loves. Psalm 127:1-2 (NIV)

Be still, and know that I am God... Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

We are doing TOO MUCH

So be careful how you live. Don\u2019t live like fools, but like those who are wise. \xa0Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.\xa0Ephesians 5:15-17(NLT)

Don\u2019t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Ephesians 5:15-17(NLT)

The tension between \u201cBe careful\u201d and \u201cMake the most of every opportunity\u201d is managed in the margin.

3 Ways to Develop a Life-style of Margin

Be intentional with your time.

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12(NIV)

Start Uncomplicating your life.

I do want to point out, friends, that time is of the essence. There is no time to waste, so don\u2019t complicate your lives unnecessarily. Keep it simple\u2014in marriage, grief, joy, whatever. Even in ordinary things\u2014your daily routines of shopping, and so on. \xa01 Corinthians 7:29-31 (MSG)

Deal as sparingly as possible with the things the world thrusts on you. This world as you see it is on its way out. 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 (MSG)

For every thing you give your time to, something else is being sacrificed.

Make time with Jesus your priority\xa0

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha\xa0opened her home to him.\xa0 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord\u2019s feet\xa0listening to what he said.\xa0Luke 10:38-42 (NIV)

But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, \u201cLord, don\u2019t you care\xa0that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!\u201d Luke 10:38-42 (NIV)

\u201cMartha, Martha,\u201d\xa0the Lord answered,\xa0\u201cyou are worried\xa0and upset about many things,\xa0but few things are needed\u2014or indeed only one.\xa0Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.\u201d Luke 10:38-42 (NIV)

The easiest way to discover margin, is to spend TIME with the One who created TIME.