The Power of Making Space

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about space. Not necessarily physical space, although I do love a good decluttering session. I’m talking about the space we create in our lives—the kind that gives us room to think, breathe, dream, hear from God, and sometimes simply be.

The truth is, many of us have filled our lives to capacity. Our calendars are full, our minds are full, and our phones make sure that even the quiet moments don't stay quiet for very long.

We have become really good at adding things. We add another commitment, another goal, another responsibility, another project, and another thing we think we should be doing. Somewhere along the way, we started believing that growth always means doing more.

But I'm learning that sometimes growth requires the exact opposite.

Sometimes we need to make space.

In my last post, Who Are You Becoming?, I talked about paying attention to the woman who is emerging in this season of your life. As I thought more about that, another question came to mind: Have you made room for her?

We can say we want more peace while continuing to fill every available space on our calendars. We can say we want to spend more time with God while giving Him whatever few minutes are left at the end of the day. We can say we want to pursue a dream but never create the time to actually work on it. And we can say we desperately need rest while feeling guilty every time we sit down. At some point, we have to make room for the things we say matter to us. Sometimes that means something else has to go.

That's the part that can be difficult because making space may require us to say no. It may mean releasing a responsibility that no longer belongs to us or letting go of an expectation we've carried for years. Sometimes we have to acknowledge that something that was right for one season of our lives may not be right for this one.

I think we sometimes continue doing things simply because we've always done them. We keep the commitment, maintain the routine, carry the responsibility, and continue moving at the same pace—not because we've intentionally decided these things still belong in our lives, but because we've never stopped long enough to ask.

So maybe we need to ask:

Does this still belong here?

I'm also learning that when we finally create some space, we don't have to rush to fill it again.

That's a hard one for those of us who are accustomed to being productive. An open Saturday can quickly become an opportunity to catch up on everything. A quiet moment becomes a reason to pick up our phones. And as soon as something leaves our calendar, we start thinking about what we can put in its place.

But maybe nothing needs to go there. Maybe the space itself is the gift.

Space gives us room to notice what has been happening inside of us while we've been busy taking care of everything else. It gives us time to recognize what we need and what we may have outgrown. It gives us room to hear ourselves think and, perhaps most importantly, to hear God's voice a little more clearly. It also gives something new room to grow. I'm beginning to believe that some of the most beautiful things in our lives won't come from doing more. They will come from finally making room.

A Moment to Reflect

Take a look at your life right now—not with judgment, but with curiosity.

Where do you need more space? And what might you need to release in order to create it?

You don't have to rearrange your entire life today. Maybe you create one quiet morning, say no to one thing, put your phone down for an hour, clear a corner of your home, sit outside without trying to accomplish anything, or spend a few uninterrupted minutes with God.

Just start by making a little room.

You might be surprised by what begins to grow there.

May you lead well, live well, and continue cultivating a life of purpose.