Creating Space for God: Embracing Margin in Life

Devotional

Day 1: God Reaches Down to Rescue and Delight in Us

Salvation is not about our striving or achievements, but about God’s initiative—He reaches down, rescues us from deep waters, and brings us into a spacious place because He delights in us. When we shift our focus from ourselves to Him, we discover that true Christian maturity is found in recognizing His work and grace in our lives, not in our own efforts. This spacious place is not just physical but spiritual and emotional, a place where God’s delight in us becomes the foundation for our peace and security. [06:40]

Psalm 18:16-19 (ESV)
He sent from on high, he took me;
he drew me out of many waters.
He rescued me from my strong enemy
and from those who hated me,
for they were too mighty for me.
They confronted me in the day of my calamity,
but the Lord was my support.
He brought me out into a broad place;
he rescued me, because he delighted in me.

Reflection: Where in your life do you need to let go of self-reliance and allow God to reach down and bring you into His spacious place of delight and rescue?

Day 2: Creating Space for God to Move

Our lives are often filled to the brim with busyness, possessions, and distractions, leaving little room for God to move. Just as a musical scale becomes beautiful when space and margin are added, so too does our life become more joyful and peaceful when we intentionally create space for God. God can only fill the space we make for Him—whether in our schedules, our thoughts, or our hearts. The challenge is to resist the urge to fill every moment and instead cultivate margin, trusting that God will meet us in the quiet and the gaps. [14:55]

Luke 5:16 (ESV)
But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.

Reflection: What is one practical way you can create space in your day this week—whether in your calendar, your home, or your mind—for God to fill with His presence?

Day 3: Faith and Dreaming in the Margin

Faith is not just exercised in action but flourishes in the margins—the spaces where we pause, reflect, and allow God to ignite new dreams within us. Many of us have stopped dreaming, using our imagination for anxiety rather than hope, but God meets us in the margin to resurrect dreams and stir faith for what is possible. The Bible reminds us that we are not those who shrink back, but those who have faith and are saved, and that God is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine when we give Him room to work. [21:09]

Ephesians 3:20 (ESV)
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,

Reflection: What is one dream or hope you have set aside because of disappointment or busyness, and how can you invite God into the margin to rekindle faith for that dream?

Day 4: God Fills the Space We Offer

Throughout history and in our own lives, every space we intentionally give to God—whether in our hearts, our homes, or our church—becomes a place for Him to fill with miracles, growth, and transformation. The story of the church’s journey shows that as people sacrificed and created space, God met them in the gap, providing more than they could have imagined. The building is not the vision; it is the vehicle for people to encounter God’s goodness, rest, and joy. As we step into new seasons and challenges, the invitation is to trust that God will always meet us in the space we offer Him. [34:53]

Acts 2:47 (ESV)
Praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Reflection: What area of your life—your time, resources, or relationships—can you intentionally offer to God as space for Him to fill with His presence and purpose?

Day 5: The Power of Margin for Rest, Joy, and Connection

Margin is not just about having extra time or space; it is about creating room for rest, joy, and meaningful connection with God and others. In the same way that parents create space to play with their children, building memories and identity, we are called to create margin in our lives for God to meet us, restore us, and shape our identity in Him. In these spaces, we experience the foundational moments that anchor us in God’s love and enable us to bring peace and joy to the world around us. [40:53]

Matthew 11:28-29 (ESV)
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Reflection: When was the last time you truly experienced rest and joy in God’s presence, and what margin can you create this week to nurture deeper connection with Him and those you love?

Sermon Summary

As we step into a new season—whether it’s the start of school, a return from holidays, or simply the turning of a page in our lives—there’s a unique opportunity to reflect on what truly matters. Beyond the obvious treasures of family, friends, and faith, there’s something often overlooked but deeply precious: space. Not just physical space, but margin in our hearts, minds, calendars, and even our budgets. In a world that constantly urges us to fill every moment, every room, and every thought with more, we risk suffocating under the weight of our own busyness and possessions. Even blessings can feel like burdens when there’s no room to breathe.

King David’s words in Psalm 18 remind us that God is the one who reaches down, rescues, and brings us into a “spacious place.” Salvation is not about our striving, but about God’s initiative and delight in us. When we shift our focus from ourselves to Him, we find that He is the one who creates space for us—space to rest, to dream, to reconnect with joy and peace. Yet, we often resist space because it feels uncomfortable; silence can expose our anxieties and disappointments. So we fill the void with noise, activity, and stuff, losing the art of margin.

But it’s in the margin that faith comes alive. Space is where possibility and connection are born. It’s where God meets us, not just in our actions, but in our willingness to pause, to dream, and to trust Him for more than we can ask or imagine. As a church, our journey has always been about creating space—physically and spiritually—for God to move. From humble beginnings to miraculous provision, every step has been marked by faith-filled risk and sacrificial generosity. Now, as we prepare to build again, the invitation is to dream together, to make room for God to do immeasurably more.

This is a season to reclaim margin in our lives and in our church. To resist the tyranny of busyness and the clutter of “stuff,” and instead, to create space for God to fill—with His presence, His miracles, and His people. The question is not whether God will meet us in the gap, but whether we will make room for Him to do so.

Key Takeaways

1. True spiritual maturity shifts our focus from ourselves to God. Salvation and growth are not about our efforts or achievements, but about what God has done and continues to do. When we centre our lives on Him, everything else finds its proper place and perspective. [05:06]
2. Margin—space in our lives—is not a luxury, but a necessity for spiritual health. Without it, even the good things become overwhelming. Creating space allows us to experience rest, joy, and the freedom to dream again, rather than being trapped in the monotony and anxiety of constant activity. [10:10]
3. Faith thrives in the gaps, not just in our actions. It’s in the spaces—those moments of uncertainty, waiting, or dreaming—where God’s power is most evident. When we dare to pause and make room, we invite God to do more than we could ever imagine, resurrecting dreams and igniting hope. [21:09]
4. The history of our church is a testimony to the power of collective dreaming and sacrificial giving. Every time we have created space—whether through new buildings, ministries, or acts of generosity—God has filled it with miracles and transformed lives. Our legacy is built on the willingness to step into the unknown together. [26:20]
5. Creating space is an act of love, both for God and for others. Just as parents create room for their children to play and grow, we are called to make space in our lives and our church for people to encounter God, find belonging, and experience transformation. The building is not the vision; it’s the vehicle for God’s work in people’s lives. [40:53]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:06] - Embracing Questions and Christian Wisdom
[04:01] - Launching the “Spaces” Series
[05:06] - Salvation: God’s Initiative, Not Ours
[06:40] - The Spacious Place: God’s Rescue and Delight
[08:36] - What Is Most Precious? The Value of Margin
[10:10] - The Burden of Blessing Without Space
[11:41] - The “Stuff Drawer” and the Cluttered Life
[13:04] - Our Lives Filled with Stuff
[14:55] - The Lost Art of Creating Space
[16:42] - Making Margin: Personal Reflections
[17:20] - The C Major Scale: The Power of Space in Life
[19:12] - Joy, Peace, and the Gift of Margin
[21:09] - Faith in the Gaps: Dreaming Again
[24:38] - The Church’s Journey: Dreaming and Building
[26:20] - Miracles in the Space We Create
[33:52] - Ready to Build: The Next Chapter
[34:53] - God Meets Us in the Gap
[36:24] - The Legacy of Sacrifice and Vision
[38:06] - Creating Safe Spaces for All
[40:53] - The Power of Space in Relationships
[41:22] - Psalm 18: God’s Spacious Place

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Psalm 18:16-19 (ESV) — > He sent from on high, he took me;
> he drew me out of many waters.
> He rescued me from my strong enemy
> and from those who hated me,
> for they were too mighty for me.
> They confronted me in the day of my calamity,
> but the Lord was my support.
> He brought me out into a broad place;
> he rescued me, because he delighted in me.

Ephesians 3:20 (ESV) — > Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us...

Hebrews 10:39 (ESV) — > But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

Observation Questions

In Psalm 18, what actions does God take on behalf of David, and what is the result for David?
According to the sermon, what does the “spacious place” represent in our lives? [[06:40]]
What are some examples the pastor gave of how our lives can become filled with “stuff” or busyness? [[13:04]]
In Ephesians 3:20, what does Paul say God is able to do, and what is the condition for experiencing this? [[21:09]]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says, “Salvation takes our eyes off us and it puts it on Him. True Christian maturity is not me, it’s Him.” How does this perspective change the way we approach our daily lives and challenges? [[05:06]]
Why do you think we often resist creating space or margin in our lives, even though it is described as a gift from God? [[14:55]]
The pastor mentioned that “faith works in the margin, the space in your thinking, the gaps in your budget.” What does it mean for faith to “work in the gaps,” and how is this different from faith in action? [[21:09]]
The church’s history was described as a story of “collective dreaming and sacrificial giving.” How does creating space together as a community differ from doing it alone? [[26:20]]

Application Questions

The sermon challenged us to consider what is truly precious in our lives. Besides family and faith, do you have margin or space in your life right now? Where do you feel most crowded or overwhelmed? [[10:10]]
The pastor shared about the “stuff drawer” and how our homes and lives can get filled with things we don’t really need. Is there an area in your life (calendar, home, mind, budget) that needs decluttering? What is one practical step you could take this week to create more space? [[13:04]]
When was the last time you experienced real rest, joy, or the freedom to dream? What would it look like to intentionally create space for these things in your week? [[19:12]]
The sermon said, “God can only fill the space we make for Him.” What is one area where you need to make more room for God? How could you do that practically? [[14:55]]
The church is entering a season of “dreaming again” and making room for God to do more. Is there a dream or hope you’ve let go of because of disappointment or busyness? What would it take to trust God with that dream again? [[21:09]]
The pastor described how creating space is an act of love for others, like parents making room for their children to play. How can you create space in your life for others to feel welcomed, supported, or to encounter God? [[40:53]]
As a church, we’re being invited to step out in faith and generosity to create more space for God to move. What does “sacrificial giving” look like for you in this season—whether it’s time, resources, or attention? [[26:20]]

Sermon Clips

Do you wanna know what salvation is all about, friends? It's not about you, it's about He. It's not about what you did to be saved. It's not about what you did to come to faith. It's not because you prayed a sinner's prayer or because you came to church. It's because all to do with He did. Salvation takes our eyes off us and it puts it on Him. True Christian maturity is not me, it's Him. It's the part that we can play in the family of God, yes, but it's all about Him. We come early to worship, we lift our hands, we jump, we dance, we clap, we sing, we give, we sow, we forgive, we show grace because of Him. [00:05:21] (38 seconds) #SalvationIsAboutHim

That's the power of margin. That's the power of creating the space to know what it is to dream again. Now, the trouble is this, is that many of us have lost the ability to dream. We're so busy in our waking hours. Many of us have stopped dreaming, and it's almost like we're now using our imagination exclusively for anxiety. [00:20:43] (26 seconds) #GodFillsEverySpace

Space is dangerous because we're disappointed. And the Bible says this, it says in Hebrews chapter 10, it says, but we as the church, as children of God, we don't belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved. That's what we belong to. [00:21:28] (20 seconds) #BuildingForPeople

``The Bible says in Ephesians 3 .20, now to Him who's able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask, think or imagine according to His power that's at work within us, but we've got to have the space, the margin to stop, to allow faith to meet us in the gap. That's where faith works, friends. Faith doesn't just work in the action, in the stepping. Faith works in the margin, the margin in your calendar, the margin, the space in your thinking, the space and the gaps in your budget. That's where faith kicks in. [00:21:48] (41 seconds) #SpaceCreatesMemories

But I want to tell you this, that if God can raise His Son, Jesus, from the dead, He can resurrect a dream in your life. If He can do that, then I want you to know, friends, that God can meet you in space, God can meet you in margin, cause faith to ignite again for you to see your life differently to the way you see it right now. [00:22:57] (23 seconds)

The devil would look at you and cause you to look back at your life and reframe your future based on negativity, anxiety, sadness, but the God of heaven and earth meets us in the margin and ignites...faith where we can dream again. [00:23:19] (20 seconds)

The building's not the vision. It's the vehicle for space where people can experience the goodness of God, experience rest, peace, and joy to the world. [00:37:24] (21 seconds)

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