Friday Fight 247: Making Room for God

Every Friday morning, during my quiet time with the Lord, He faithfully places something on my heart that speaks to the subtle, internal battles many of us face. This is Friday Fight 247.

We all experience seasons of change in our spiritual lives, but what happens when we are doing everything we believe God has asked of us—serving, attending, leading—yet we feel stagnant? Our days are full, calendars packed, and intentions sincere, still, something feels off. Why does spiritual growth feel stalled when our schedules are overflowing with seemingly “good” things?

Making Room for God:

Many of us are incredibly faithful at booking our calendars for God. Serving Him and others fills our schedule, and there is satisfaction in fulfilling and seeing plans succeed. Yet an important question remains: what about the unplanned moments? Do we leave any space for God to interrupt, redirect, or move in ways we didn’t anticipate? Or is our schedule so full that we didn’t leave space for God to move?

A few years ago, God placed something both unexpected and uncomfortable on my heart—a fast, not from food, but from my schedule. For forty days, aside from work and dinner, I refrained from planning anything. I canceled meetings, declined invitations, and intentionally left my calendar open for whatever God revealed. Honestly, it felt strange. I was uncomfortable not knowing what each day would hold. Imagine waking up on a Saturday with no plans to shop, exercise, or meet a friend.

During that time, God showed me something profound: I had filled my life with activity for Him, but I had left very little room for Him to move through me. When I began to honestly examine my spiritual growth, I realized it doesn’t come from doing more for God—it comes from making room for God to move.

Spiritual opposition doesn’t always look like chaos. Often, it looks like comfort. Darkness works subtly, encouraging believers to remain busy, complacent, and stagnant, convincing us that activity equals growth. But growth requires surrender, not just effort.

Scripture reminds us where our focus should be in Colossians 3:17: “And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” This verse isn’t a call to do more; it’s a call to do everything with God at the center, under His direction.

Fighting spiritual stagnation begins with prayerful surrender. Ask God to be your scheduler. Intentionally dedicate time, not just to praying, but also to being available. Trust that He will fill your time for His purposes, not just your plans.

This week, prayerfully examine your schedule. Ask yourself whether you’ve equated being busy for God with growing in God. True spiritual growth happens when we make room. Don’t just fight to do more for God, fight to make room for God to move.

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In His Grace,

Pastor Shannon

River Church