Torch, Spring/Summer 2011

Spring–Summer 2011 | TORCH 7 RICHARD SWENSON kind of devotional response of the heart? We need some margin, the space between our load and our limits. Margin is our reserves, the place where we rest, recharge our batteries, recover our passion, renew our relationships — where we are still and know that He is God. The focus of Christ’s ministry was always the person standing in front of Him. The person standing in front of me is an obstacle I’m trying to get over, under, around, or through because I’m late for whatever is down the road. Jesus did not cure every case of leprosy in Israel. If you could just look at it or touch it and heal it, wouldn’t you hold clinic until 3 a.m. every morning? Wouldn’t you give the disciples only an hour of sleep and keep running from village to village? He didn’t do that; He knew there would be more leprosy tomorrow. How completely contrary that is to my whole mentality. In the spiritual life, discipline means that somewhere in your life you are not occupied, or preoccupied. It means creating space in which something can happen that you hadn’t planned or counted on. God asks us to walk the second mile, carry another’s burden, witness to the truth at any opportunity, and teach our children as we sit, walk, lie down, and stand — these responses presuppose that we have margin to make available for His purposes. Are we really willing to let God control our agendas? Let’s make our plans and arrange our schedules humbly, lightly — realizing that God Almighty has the right to redirect us at a moment’s notice. Dr. Richard Swenson is a physician- futurist, author, and educator. He received his B.S. in physics from Denison University and his M.D. from the University of Illinois School of Medicine. His best-selling books include Margin , The Overload Syndrome , and In Search of Balance . Learn more at RichardSwenson.com. Study Tour of Israel Join Dr. Bill Brown and Dr. Bob Gromacki on a May 8–18, 2012 Follow the footsteps of Jesus and heroes of the faith who walked before us through biblically significant sites. Reignite your passion for the Word of God and its relevance in our lives. View the complete itinerary: cedarville.edu/studytour