Creating Space: An Introduction

If you’ve spent some time with me on social media or in real life lately you may have noticed that I am all about creating space. And you may have started wondering “Why?”. Why is she so obsessed with creating space? What is the point of all this space?

My imagination was first intrigued with the concept of creating space about six or seven years ago (where has the time gone?!). Sitting in a living room surrounded by the four other Worship Leaders in our church, we were trying to clarify our purpose and role. Someone said the words “creating space” out loud and I was captivated by the idea. 

Fast forward three-ish years to the fall of 2016 when I was first introduced to these words from Henri Nouwen in Making All Things New:

“In the spiritual life, the word discipline means ‘the effort to create space in which God can act”

In a moment and over years the idea and practice of creating space have permeated my language and my perspective on my calling. I am passionate about creating space. “Creating space for what?” you may say. Well, I’m so glad you asked.

I am convinced that there is a God. And I am convinced that this God created the world, you and I included. We have been created in the image of this God, this God who is Three-in-One, perfect love, perfect relationship. Because we were created in His image, we are created to be in relationship with this God. Our own rebellion against this God and His Ways created a rift between us. We are invited to relationship with Him but we can’t cross over the canyon that separates us.

I am also convinced that God is good. Although we rebel, He still wants relationship with the ones He made and loves. And so He sent His Son, who is the perfect representation of God the Father, to Earth to take on flesh and live among us. His name is Jesus. Jesus lived on Earth for 33 years, revealing to us the heart of the Father and the ways of His Kingdom. Ways that are higher than our ways. To repair the canyon forever that separated us from the Father, Jesus the Son took our rebellion, our sin, upon Himself and died. He experienced the brutal separation from God the Father so that we wouldn’t have to. Three days later, Jesus rose from death a victor. He defeated the power and sting of death and was resurrected. After His resurrection, He ascended back to Heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father and acts as an intercessor for us always.

Because He is good, He did not leave us alone.

After He left, the Holy Spirit was given to all those that confess that Jesus is Lord, above all, and believe in His name. The Holy Spirit reminds us of the truth that Jesus revealed, the Holy Spirit reminds us of the truth of the Father, the Holy Spirit comforts us and guides us in the ways of God’s Kingdom. The Holy Spirit is the very presence of God present in my life.

Does that sound crazy? Maybe. But I know that it is true. And this is why I create space. 

I create space because I love and serve a God who is living, active, speaking now. If I take a moment to see, I will see God present in the world and in me. God the Father is good news. Jesus the Son is good news. The Holy Spirit is good news. Hope for the broken-hearted, rest for the weary, broken chains for the captive, freedom for the oppressed, beauty for ashes, joy for mourning, dancing for sorrow, clear eyes for tears, refuge for the fearful, wisdom for the confused, healing for the wounded, a path for the aimless, abundance for scarcity, a shepherd for the lost, life to the dying. Tell me this isn’t good news. This is the God I love and serve and seek after. This is the God who loves and seeks after me. 

Creating space is taking a moment to say, “God, I know you are present and you are speaking. I know that what you are saying is worth hearing, what you are doing is worth seeing. You are good news and I am only transformed when I am in Your presence. So, make me aware of Your presence.”

I can’t change you. I can’t change me. I can’t change my perspective or renew my mind. I can’t help you see more clearly. But Jesus can through the Holy Spirit. And so creating space to encounter Jesus is critical to my relationship with Him, critical to walking in this world as I follow after Him. 

This is why I am passionate about creating space in my own life. Because I know that when I do, I can see Jesus more clearly and He is worth seeing and following and hearing. And if I am passionate about anything for you, my friend, it is that you would be inspired to create space in your life too. I have the audacious hope that if we create space to encounter Jesus in the middle of our real lives, we will be comforted, renewed and even transformed by the One who loves us.

This is just the first of (at least) three parts on creating space to encounter Jesus. Part Two will explore how to create space in the middle of your real life to encounter Jesus. Part Three will acknowledge the seasons when there is no space to be had. Be encouraged that God is always present with you.