We live in a world that tells us to hustle harder, plan smarter, and depend on no one but ourselves. The pressure to figure it all out—to fix, to plan, to overcome—can be overwhelming. Even as Christians, we can fall into the trap of functional atheism: living as if God isn’t real, as if He doesn’t care, or worse—as if the burden to save and sustain is entirely on our shoulders.
But we do not believe in a God who is absent or indifferent.
We believe in a God who stepped into our world, wrapped Himself in flesh, and bore our sins on the cross. We believe in a Savior who didn’t just promise His presence in eternity, but His presence now. A God who walks with us through the valleys and celebrates with us on the mountaintops. A God who still parts seas, breaks chains, and resurrects dead things—just as He always has.
So why do we so often forget to leave room for Him to be God?
When We Crowd God Out
In our urgency to control the outcome, we can unintentionally edge God out of our process. Our planning becomes a substitute for prayer. Our action replaces trust. Our words and thoughts echo fear rather than faith.
It’s not that planning is wrong or that effort is unnecessary. But when those things are done apart from God—when they become a sign that we’ve stopped believing He’s with us or for us—we lose sight of who He truly is. We shrink our world to the size of our own understanding and forget that we worship a God who delights in doing the impossible.
Proverbs 3:5–6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
Making Space for God
The invitation isn’t to do nothing—it’s to do everything with God. To leave space in our thoughts, our plans, and our responses for the Holy Spirit to move. To trust that the One who raised Jesus from the dead is active, present, and powerful in our lives right now.
Here are a few ways we can begin to make space for God in our daily lives:
1. Worship
Worship reminds us who God is and who we are not. Whether it's through song, the spoken Word, silence, or simply giving thanks, worship shifts our focus from our ability to God’s sufficiency and grace.
2. Prayer
Prayer isn't just a last resort—it’s a first response. We don’t pray to inform God of our problems but to invite Him into them. Prayer is how we let go of control, let God be our God, and realign our hearts with His will.
3. Daily Bible Reading
God’s Word is living and active. When we read Scripture, we’re reminded of what’s true—about God, about ourselves, and about our circumstances. The Bible is filled with stories where God interrupts the impossible with His power and presence.
4. Talking About Our Faith
When we speak about God with our family, friends, and community, we reinforce our faith. We remind each other of what’s true and we allow the Spirit to work through our testimony. Faith grows when it’s shared.
5. Serving Others
When we serve, we practice trust. We live out the truth that our needs are met in Christ, freeing us to focus on others. Serving becomes a tangible way to reflect the heart of Jesus and remind ourselves that we are not alone—we are sent.
Resting in God’s Presence
Ultimately, leaving room for God isn’t just about what we do. It’s about what we believe and rest in. Through His Word and Sacraments, God assures us that He is not only near—but within us. His Spirit strengthens, guides, and renews us.
When we pause, pray, and trust, we make space for the living God to do what only He can do. We release control and regain peace. We stop striving and start abiding.
Let’s stop living like we’re on our own. Let’s leave room for God to be our God.
Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”