I heard an interesting sermon the other day that I’ve been marinating on. The lesson was on discerning how to spend your time. I immediately thought of the concept of deciding the best use of your time and following through with what you say you’ll do. That’s a timely message for the beginning of the new year!
But that’s not what the pastor said. Instead, he said, “Sometimes we need to decommit in order to create margin.” What?? I’d never heard that expression before, so I began listening more closely. This was not a typical message about following through and keeping your word about what you say you will do. This was a message about what God says you will do.
First is the matter of decommitting. Decommitting is withdrawing from an obligation, commitment, or pledge. In Matthew, Jesus came upon Simon (called Peter) and his brother Andrew while they were fishing and invited them to follow Him. Without hesitation, they put down their nets and began following Jesus. They decommitted. Was Jesus implying that what they were currently doing was wrong? Of course not! In fact, they were probably good fishermen and had created a successful family business. Jesus was inviting them to make room for what He had planned next – becoming fishers of people. (Matthew 4:18-20)
I’ll be honest, this was a foreign concept for me. Most of us are familiar with seasons in our lives. Like in nature, our lives evolve from one period of time into another and in the transition, things will change. We don’t typically control what changes around us – people in our lives, activities, opportunities, etc. We just know that there are times when things naturally come to an end and God opens a new door for us to walk through.
But this was different. This was purposely walking away from something not knowing what may be coming next. This leads us to the concept of creating margin. Creating margin is purposely creating space which allows open space for us to take time to meet unexpected needs or have unplanned conversations. When we create open space, God is able to use us in ways we never would have expected. It’s easy to say ‘No’ to something that no longer serves your purpose. It is especially difficult to walk away from commitments when we feel people are counting on us, things are going well, or we really enjoy what we’re doing. Creating margin involves a step of faith into the unknown.
I’ve been challenged by this concept and have certainly taken it to the Lord in prayer. Is God calling you to decommit to something in your life? Is it time to create margin so He can do a new thing? When we choose His will over ours and step into faith for what God CAN do, we will be amazed to see what God WILL do!
Be blessed!
Jennifer
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6