Building Margins And Resources Series

Not only did these people get the best spot because they started at daylight but they did it daily. We get the impression of someone who is diligent.

The Bible is instructing us on how important it is, if we are going to build margins, to start earlier. Start your morning earlier. Get up at an earlier time. Develop an ability to be diligent in getting up so that you can have your quiet time. Start a little earlier going places. Start a little earlier in planning. Start a little earlier in whatever you might need to do.

“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16 NASB).

The Bible is saying, “Don’t be unwise, but wise” in making the most of your time.

Fillers and Drainers

Each of us have an emotional reservoir. It’s like a big tank. Your emotional reservoir needs to be full. If you are running on empty or your emotions are low, then you are on the verge of an emotional breakdown because you have no emotional energy.

It may sound really trite, but you need emotional energy to be kind. You need emotional energy to be gentle to someone who is not gentle to you.

When I do a funeral, I need emotional energy because it pulls a lot out of me. There are certain things that drain me, not that they are wrong, but they just drain me. There are certain activities that pull your emotional energy. If you have none left, you will not be kind. You will not be hospitable. There will be no joy in your life because to have joy requires emotional energy. Joy becomes a choice that you make.

So, here is your emotional reservoir. Certain things go into your emotional reservoir to fill you up.

I love to worship God. It fills my tank. I love fellowship. That fills my tank! You need to know what fills your reserves--what fills your tank.

Also, you need to know what drains your tank. There are certain things that will drain your tank and pull from you--you need to know what both are. When you don’t know what fills your tank, by default, you will be so involved in doing things that you are giving life away--giving energy away--and you are not filling your tank.

What happens is that after about 3, 4, or 5 months, you will find that you are really running on empty. Before you know it, you are on the edge and you are living a margin-less life. You still go to church. You still try to do the things that are supposedly Christian, but it’s not enough to fill your tank because there is something draining you.

If your marriage is going bad or you’re struggling with your kids, you’ve got a major drain happening. If you’re having a financial struggle, it starts a major drain. If you are having relationship problems, it begins to sap your energy.

What happens is that sometimes you cannot stop the drain because it’s just something you have to deal with. If that happens, you must make sure you fill the reservoir. Make sure the input is strong and filling you.

Think about what fills up your tank and write it down. If you can work these things into your week, this will help you with the drain.