In our fast-paced world, we often find ourselves striving to create margins in our lives - space for what truly matters, for the things that bring us joy and draw us closer to Christ. We set goals, make plans, and envision a life with better boundaries and priorities. But there's a trap we can easily fall into: trying to go it alone.
When we embark on this journey of creating spiritual margins, we may start with enthusiasm, picturing a life where everything falls neatly into place. We tell ourselves, "I've got this. I'll do this and cut out that. I'll prioritize these things and avoid those distractions." It all seems so clear and achievable in our minds.
But what happens when we stumble? When old idols creep back in, when the chaos of life threatens to overwhelm us once again, when we forget the boundaries we've set and try to juggle every little thing? What happens when those carefully crafted margins start to disappear?

This is where we need to heed the wisdom found in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12:
"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."

These verses remind us of a profound truth: we were not meant to walk this spiritual journey alone. God's intention was never for us to be lone rangers in our faith. We need accountability and companionship to truly thrive and maintain the margins we seek to create in our lives.
Think about it - we have been given the fullness of God's riches in Christ, made ours forever by the indwelling Holy Spirit. To be saved is to have ALL of God. Yet, God didn't save us to be individual Christians isolated from one another. He saved us to be part of something bigger - the family of God, a local church community of brothers and sisters in Christ walking the same path of truth and freedom.

This companionship is not just a need; it's a gift from God. Often, it's through other Christians that God chooses to speak to us, meet us in our pain, care for us, and strengthen us. Just as God made Himself known by coming down as a baby, He continues to make Himself known through the ordinary people in our church family who meet us with love, truth, and grace.
To embrace this gift of companionship, we need to be honest - both with ourselves about our need for others, and with one another about our struggles and imperfections. Imagine how beautiful and freeing our church communities could be if we all took a step toward being real with each other, honest about our difficulties, and open about not having it all together. God can work wonders with a group of people like that.

But it's not enough to just talk about it. We need to be willing to seek out accountability and companionship actively, and to offer the same to others. Who has God placed in your life that could be that accountability partner and companion on this journey to grow closer to Christ together, in all our mess?

The beauty of this kind of companionship is that it serves us in every season of life:

1. In our failures and falling: When we stumble, when our carefully constructed margins crumble, we have brothers and sisters to pick us up, remind us of God's goodness, and encourage us to keep going. They help us refocus on God's purpose and love for us.
2. In times of darkness and cold: When we go through seasons where God seems distant, hope feels ridiculous, and our hearts grow cold, we have companions to remind us of truth, to pray over us when we can't find the words, and to be the warmth of Christ's love in our cold night.
3. In our battles: The Christian life is a constant battle against temptation, despair, and the schemes of the evil one. But with companions by our side, we're better equipped to withstand these attacks, to call out sin for what it is, to hold onto hope, and to bear each other's burdens.

But there's an even greater truth here. Notice how the passage in Ecclesiastes ends: "A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." This isn't just about having multiple human companions; it's about recognizing that in all of life, we have Christ as our greatest companion.

Jesus is always by our side:

• In failure, ready to lift us up, shower us with grace, and remind us that His promises rest in His faithfulness, not our perfection.
• In our cold wanderings, still embracing us, strengthening us, and loving us, not bothered by our struggles but welcoming us with mercy.
• In our battles, going before us, fighting for us, empowering us, because He has already won the greatest battle against sin and evil.

As we seek to live the life Jesus has saved and freed us for, as we build these margins in our lives, let's look to one another as companions on the same journey. But even more, let's look to Jesus, lean on Him, and trust in Him as our ultimate companion.

Until that day when we finish the race together and are welcomed home, let's encourage one another to persevere. Let's remind each other that failures will one day be no more, darkness and cold will cease, and the battle will finally and forever be won. On that day, we who are held by Jesus will be free to live and enjoy life with our Friend, Companion, and Savior God forever, exactly where we were always meant to be.

May our pursuit of spiritual margins draw us deeper into a desire for that day, and may we experience all God has for us until then. As we journey together, supported by our spiritual companions and ultimately held by Christ, may we find the strength, wisdom, and grace to create and maintain those vital margins in our lives, growing ever closer to the heart of God.