Margin: Finding Fruit in a World Driven by Progress
“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 NRSV
Series: Margin: Finding Fruit in a World Driven by Progress
Devotional: 1 of 5
An unconscious pursuit of progress is the driving force of modern living. In recent years, progress has reaped a harvest of unprecedented advancements in healthcare, education, and technology, ushering in a new era of comfort, security, and affluence. With each passing day, progress stands on every street corner, boldly declaring its message of hope, "All aboard! Get your tickets to the good life. Where more and more of everything, faster and faster, holds the secret to living your best life now." One by one, we have boarded the train of progress without fully understanding what will need to be left behind as we speed into uncharted territory. Despite the awe-inspiring list of amenities progress has to offer (and there are many), there was one casualty that needed to be sacrificed to continue to keep the train moving forward at full throttle: Margin.
Margin is the gap between our commitments and our limits. Emotional limits. Social and financial limits. Limits bound by time and physical space. Each of these limits has been hard-wired into every person by our all-knowing, loving Heavenly Father. However, when we continuously reach and/ or exceed these limits, fatigue, apathy, and despair begin to take root in our hearts.
Margin is living with intentionality and purpose for an Eternal Kingdom. Marginless living is aimlessly wandering from one day to the next, held captive by the fear of missing out.
Margin is being present to the moment in your current season of life. Marginless living is hustling and grinding your way through life.
Margin is the narrow road of obedience that leads to freedom. Marginless living is giving into every indulgence that makes you feel good.
To each of us who have been blinded by the allure of progress, Jesus offers a very different message of hope. A ticket to a life of peace, joy, and love, both in the here and now and in the Kingdom to come.
“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 NRSV)
In this series, we will examine four movements that the Holy Spirit is inviting each of us to embark on as we seek to regain the margin that progress has stolen from our relationships, our schedules, and our finances.
As you go, consider the following prayer as a way of posturing your heart to receive what the Lord Jesus might have for you on the topic of margin. "Lord Jesus, I surrender my time, talents, and treasure to you. You are my Master, and I am your servant. Open my eyes to see where I lack margin in my life."
OnThe3rdDay Devotionals
Devotionals that illustrate Biblical principles in a simple and short format that can be applied to your everyday life.
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