Making Space

On Sunday the 15th of January, our pastor, David, spoke about making space for God. (Click here to listen to the talk) He led us through a simple exercise from Ruth Haley Barton’s book ‘Sacred Rhythms’. He encouraged us to use this simple exercise of sitting quietly and reading a story in Mark 10:48-52, of Jesus meeting blind Bartimaeus and imagining Jesus asking us “What do you want me to do for you today?” I couldn’t wait to use this exercise at home to help propel me into making more space for God which had once again been lacking. Part of the problem for me is that I make spending time with Jesus a rule for myself to live by rather than spending time with a person I’m in a loving relationship with.

I tried out the exercise (I totally encourage you to do it too!) and what really stood out to me was when reading the story was that Bartimaeus was desperate for Jesus, he didn't care what others thought of him shouting out in the street, he knew the answer to his problems and it was coming his way and nothing was going to stop him receiving. I was struck at how distracted I get by people, food, Facebook etc when I could be spending time with Jesus, who is my life source and answer to my problems.

It was only the next day that I really struggled to get out of bed to spend time with Jesus, it was dark and cold and I was tired. As I lay there, beginning to beat myself up about not getting out of bed I heard Jesus, in his grace say “I love you, I love you”. I smiled to myself, joy welling up inside, that was what I had needed Jesus to do for me that day and I hadn’t even asked!



Beth Edgar