The Consequences of No Margin

Prudent is a word that most are familiar with, however connecting it with our daily walk can be challenging.

At the core, being prudent means being careful about your choices, stopping and thinking before acting. Considering that in the context of this verse, it appears that a failure to be prudent over our schedules not only robs us of margin, it also increases the propensity to lose our way as well.

In the high-tech world of today, rarely is anyone lost anymore. Jump into Marty McFly’s DeLorean and head back to the 1990’s you would find that going on a trip required planning using a series of maps and an atlas. Getting “lost” was easy to do as the navigation was done in the moment and the more prudent the navigator the higher the probability of landing at your desired destination.

For me, there was one trip that comes to mind all too well. On a much-anticipated motorcycle ride to Cherokee, North Carolina we were all buzzing with excitement to visit some of the greatest riding in the country. On the trip down the lead bike lost his way and those following were literally along for the ride. Only upon seeing a sign that read “Welcome to Tennessee” did we realize that we had wandered off the desired path. With a little course correction and some much-needed hazing, we were able to redirect the trip and enjoyed a great time of fellowship and seat time in the Great Smoky Mountains.

While the welcome sign was the moment of clarity for us, how often do we miss the signs simply because there is not enough margin in our lives to look up? Or perhaps, even worse, the signs we should see are not visible at all due to the company we surround ourselves with as they are causing an obstruction that cannot be overcome.

In the world we live in today this manifests as a relaxation of morals and virtues as too often we go to extreme lengths to not rock the boat versus standing up for Truth. For instance, if we find ourselves breaking bread at a restaurant with a fellow brother or sister in Christ, where we both are married and the other party makes a sexually explicit comment about the waitress/waiter. Usually, in an effort to not disrupt the friendship, either one of two scenarios will play out - #1 A slight laugh and comment as to either downplay or affirm that we are in agreement, or #2 We quickly change the subject to move the conversation to a point where we feel comfortable.

In reality, there is one option that takes prudence and boldness if we are true disciples of Christ. It would be to address the comment head-on, with gentleness and love, reminding them how the covenant of marriage is something you hold dear to your heart whereas you cannot support the actions they displayed. We become the signpost reminding each other of how to get on the right path. This is bold and risky, absolutely, and it is that level of prudence that will ensure the margin we are given is spent on the path that God desires and with the company of those that will help us grow closer to Him.

No one wakes up and thinks, "Today is the day I’m going to get on the wrong path and rest in the company of the departed," yet all too often that is exactly what happens. Keeping adequate margin in our lives to look around, assess, and adjust our lives to ensure we are staying in lockstep with what God is calling us to do is crucial. A quick litmus test is to see who the last 3 text messages are from in your phone. Do those individuals pull you closer to God or further away? If further away, what steps can you take today to exercise biblical prudence in your walk?

Questions to Consider

1. Why is it important to have margin in our lives to notice the 'welcome signs' God places before us?
2. How can the company we keep affect our ability to see and follow God's path?