A friend, Janet Asbury, shared at church Sunday that God was convicting her of “making space”. She shared that this phrase is currently being used in our culture to denote the importance of being intentional in our every day lives. Making space for the really important things. In the hustle and bustle of all we fill our lives with – are we setting aside QUALITY time with God, or squeezing in a moment here and there when we “can”? Are we making space for God, our Father, creator of the universe? Is that space a priority or an afterthought?

That certainly convicted me! I just wrote a blog on June 1,2023 entitled “Cut It Out” about the need to cut out things in our lives that crowd out the really important things. (see the link below)

Cut it Out

Yet what Janet shared caused me to think about the difference between cutting something out and making space for something.

I can cut out plants in my garden that I no longer want in that space. I can dig them up and throw them over the bank, or plant them somewhere else. The issue becomes – what do I do with that space? If I just leave that space it will soon be filled again with weeds or another plant I may not want there. I must either mulch that space well so weeds can’t grow or plant a smaller, less invasive species. Otherwise I will soon have an overcrowded garden again. Back to the old same-old same-old!

This is true in our lives. We may cut out things we realize are not productive – but what do with that “space” that we created? If we are not intentional about filling that space, the same behavior and habits will return right back to where they were in our lives. This time they may be harder to root out.

I have a beautiful butterfly weed plant that my father planted. Not only did he love the bright orange color, but he enjoyed watching the butterflies the blooms attracted. Last year it was very small and on closer observation I realized it was overcrowded by a nearby azalea and a groundcover. The azalea is beautiful in the spring, but cutting it back would not harm it and it would create space for the butterfly weed to grow. The ground cover was another story. It was invasive and just taking over.

So – one plant I cut back.

One plant I completely pulled up and threw over the bank.

Did that solve the problem once and for all? NO

I go back frequently and pull up weeds and that old ground cover to make space for the butterfly weed. It is not a “once and for all time” deal. Making space is an ongoing effort if I want to effect lasting change.

The disciple and apostle Peter describes the effort we must make spiritually to possess and maintain the qualities we want as a follower of Jesus. 2 Peter 1:3-8 says

3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I will grow spiritually as I intentionally make space for these qualities.