Are You Running On Empty

Are You Running On Empty "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near." Philippians 4:4-5 As I write my Daily Devotionals, I have only so much room on each page to deliver my message, as each page in my books has a margin. My devotionals would not be very readable if the print ran to the edges of the paper. Our lives also need a margin, as there are always boundaries we must never cross. There is good and evil and we must never cross the line where evil is in control of all we do, and all the choices we make. We must always have our life in balance, and decide what the margin is between rest and exhaustion, and what our limitations are, and always have "Something held in reserve for contingencies or unanticipated situations." Often people get themselves in situations where they are running thin on margin, my guess is that if you find yourself in this situation you are on overload in at least some of the following areas: You may have too many commitments, too much debt, too many expectations, too many hobbies, or too many selfish desires which take up all your time. God does not want you to go through life always running on empty, not having time to do the important things you need to do, such as reading your Bibles, praying and having time to develop a relationship with Him. There are several things you can do to insure that the proper margin is built into your life. Learn to expect the unexpected, because most everything takes longer than anticipated, learn to build margin into your planning. Learn to say no. Contrary to your perception, you are not indispensable. Cut down on your activities as they have a way of multiplying. Practice simplicity and contentment. Choose to live with less. Get less done but do the right things. Assess all your activities as to their spiritual authenticity. Decide to live the life that Jesus wants you to live, whatever the cost. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven November 23