4: Create Space

The Neighborhood Church

How is it even possible to follow Jesus, love neighbors, and grow disciples? We must create the space for God to do the work in our lives that we cannot do on our own. In our fourth core practice, we commit to make time for God and others for transformational relationships to grow. Scripture Focus: Luke 6:12-13 and Luke 22:38-46 Jesus shows the disciples (and us) how to create space, find rest, and renew strength before we engage with others in order to grow transformational relationships. We need to recognize our old patterns of busyness, worry, and exhaustion, and then create space for God to build a new pattern in us for restorative rest. We get a sense all through the Bible of God saying to us ‘I am with you...I am with you...I am with you.’ And then that haunting question, ‘Are you willing to be with me?’ Richard Foster, Q & A with Dallas Willard (Renovare Institute), Conversatio.org Here are some practical ways to create space in your life. Creating Space - An Appetizer Silence - Be in His presence and Listen for His voice Meditation - Read and reflect on a short Bible passage like Psalm 23 Prayer - Pray for a neglected or hurting relationship that needs transformation Creating Space - An Entree Solitude - Spend an hour this week reflecting on the goodness of God Hospitality - Prepare with God and give someone your undivided attention and love that needs it Prayer - Commit to daily prayer for a worry in your life and remain open to restorative rest Creating Space - A Dessert Extended Personal Communion (EPC) - Plan for a day with God in the next few months Remind - Post a physical reminder to continue a practice of creating space Reflection - Track how you budget your time and energy over a week and reflect Question - How will you create space this week?