The Ministry of Margin
“But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.” — Luke 5:16 (ESV)
Can I tell you something I’ve been thinking about lately? Jesus was never in a hurry. That challenges me, because I can be very, very good at hurrying.
When I sat down with my coffee yesterday, I opened my Bible, and before I’d read two verses, my mind had already jumped to the to-do list: emails, errands, a phone call I needed to return. I looked down; my coffee had gone cold, and I couldn’t tell you a single thing I’d just read. I wasn’t with the Lord. I was just physically near Him while my mind ran somewhere else entirely.
That’s the world you and I live in. One that celebrates full calendars, quick responses, constant availability, and squeezing one more thing into an already packed day. Even good things can crowd out the quiet places if you aren’t careful. And then we wonder why we feel tired in places sleep doesn’t seem to fix.
As summer begins winding down and fall starts peeking around the corner, schedules have a way of filling up quickly. School begins. Ministries pick back up. Work rhythms shift. Family routines change. Suddenly, what felt a little slower becomes very full again.
That’s why I keep coming back to the way Jesus lived. The Gospels show you a Savior who was surrounded by real needs. People needed healing. They were hungry for teaching. People needed deliverance just as much as they needed answers to very desperate prayers.
There was always someone who wanted something from Him. And yet Luke 5:16 (ESV) tells us, “But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.”
That little word would gets me. This wasn’t a one-time emergency response because Jesus had finally reached His limit. Withdrawal was part of His rhythm. Jesus made room to be with the Father. He didn’t allow every demand around Him to determine His pace.
And if Jesus, the Son of God, lived with margin, I think we should pay attention to that.
Now, I don’t want you to turn this into another rule. Because that’s what we humans tend to do, isn’t it? You hear, “You need rest,” and suddenly rest becomes another assignment.
Did I spend enough quiet time?
Did I unplug correctly?
Did I take enough Sabbath?
Did I rest spiritually enough today?
Friend, that sounds exhausting too.
The beauty of the New Covenant is that you are not creating access to God through your spiritual disciplines. Jesus already gave you access.
Hebrews 4:16 (ESV) says, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” We draw near because the way has already been opened.
Prayer isn’t a box you check so God will be pleased with you. Quiet isn’t something you earn after you’ve been productive enough. Margin is simply making space to enjoy the relationship Jesus already secured for you.
Sometimes renewal looks like sitting with the Lord without an agenda. No long prayer list. No study plan. No pressure to receive some profound revelation. Just, “Jesus, I’m here.”
That morning with my cold coffee, I finally set the list down and just said that. Nothing eloquent. Just, “Jesus, I’m here.” And something in my shoulders let go that I didn’t even know had been tense.
There is something incredibly healing about remembering that you are a human being before you are a human doing.
You are loved when your calendar is full. You are loved when your calendar is empty.
You are loved when you are accomplishing things. And you are still completely loved when you are sitting on the couch drinking coffee and doing absolutely nothing impressive.
Your value was settled at the cross. You don’t have to prove your worth through productivity. Maybe that’s part of what God wants to renew in you as you transition into another busy season. Not necessarily removing every responsibility, but teaching you to stop living as though everything depends on you.
Jesus Himself said, “I can do nothing on my own.” (John 5:30, ESV) If Jesus willingly lived in dependence upon the Father, why would you think independence is the goal?
Maybe margin isn’t empty space after all. Maybe it’s sacred space: space to breathe, to listen, to notice what the Holy Spirit is doing, and space to remember who you are when nobody needs anything from you.
So before fall arrives with all its lists, schedules, meetings, practices, ministry opportunities, and responsibilities, maybe ask yourself: Where can I leave a little room?
Not because resting makes you more righteous. Jesus already took care of that. But because relationships need room to breathe. And your Father isn’t merely interested in everything you can accomplish for Him. He wants you to enjoy being with Him too.
Reflection Questions
· Where has hurry started creeping into your life?
· Is there an area where productivity has quietly become connected to your sense of worth?
· What would it look like to intentionally create a little margin to simply enjoy God this week?
Prayer
Father, thank You that I never have to earn access to You. Jesus has already made the way for me to come boldly into Your presence and receive grace. Teach me to recognize when hurry is stealing my attention, and remind me that my worth is not measured by how much I accomplish. As this season begins to change, help me create room to hear Your voice, enjoy Your presence, and move at the pace of Your grace. Thank You that I am Your beloved child before I ever do anything for You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Alexandria Flint is the founder of Joy in the Processing LLC and the author of The Force of Joy. As an ACTIVATE Certified Trainer and Certified Prophetic Processing Coach, she helps believers recognize God’s voice, process His promises, and walk in healing, joy, and secure identity in Christ. Through writing, teaching, and prophetic encouragement, Alexandria is passionate about helping people discover God’s restoring work from the inside out.
CONTACT LINKS:
Website: https://joyintheprocessing.com
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