MAKE ROOM FOR YOU – Making Space for God to move !

“Make Room for You”
From the heart of Pastor Calvin Cook
July 30, 2025

Making Space for God to Move – Inspired by the song: “Make Room” (by Community Music / Elyssa Smith)

Scripture: Luke 10:41–42 (ESV) “But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.’”

I’m a sign reader, especially church signs. The recent sign I have been reading is the sign at St. Callistus Catholic Church here in Kane. The words on the sign read – “One Needful Thing”. As I read that sign, it has been a reminder to consider what that one needful thing is, for each of us it is something different, but shouldn’t it be the same? I was reminded of a sermon John Wesley preached entitled “The One Needful Thing”. It is really worth reading.

At the same time, I have been thinking through many things. Trying to meet some deadlines, keep things moving in life, church, and business. While needing to pause and condition the place of my own relationship with God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit without sacrificing the “one needful thing” and making room for God.

While praying, through responding to God’s call in a way that prioritizes the move of God and finding those places of sanctuary to be doing the will of God, while allowing the Holy Spirit to move.
On my daily list is the song Make Room, the lyrics echo a powerful invitation: “Here is where I lay it down, every burden, every crown. This is my surrender…”

We live in a world filled with noise, pressure, schedules, and demands. Our hearts and calendars can get so full that even God—the One we claim to love most—gets crowded out. This happens many times even in doing the work of the church. Is the work of the church sometimes different than the work of God? Sometimes: Yes. Often, we may acknowledge His importance, but often God is squeezed into leftover corners of our lives.

Jesus’ gentle rebuke to Martha reminds us that busyness—even in service to Him—is not the same as intimacy with Him. Mary “made room” by sitting at Jesus’ feet. She chose presence over productivity, stillness over striving, and worship over worry.

The song Make Room becomes more than music; it becomes a prayer. A surrender. A declaration that we will not let the clutter of our own lives and culture choke out the Spirit of God in our lives. That we will make room in our hearts, our habits, our homes, and our plans.

Ask yourself: What areas of my life have grown too crowded for God to move freely? What do I need to surrender—my plans, my preferences, my time?

I am writing this at 4:30 AM on one of the busiest days of the summer, but yet the one needful thing is this time every day to reflect, to pray, to listen, and even to complain. But in that assurance knowing that God is right here and will be with me through the day. I’m praying that everyone who is calling upon the name of Jesus this morning will then allow Jesus to be seen in them. I’m setting apart moments of the day just to pause and breathe in that presence and allow it to take over. Making room might mean turning down the volume of the world so we can better hear the whisper of God. It might mean waking a little earlier, reprioritizing relationships, or letting go of control.

My Holy Spirit prayer is – I pray to God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to intercede in everything and take over.

Prayer: Lord, I lay it all down—my schedule, my opinions, my distractions, even my dreams. I make room for You to speak, to move, to rearrange what needs realigned. Have Your way in me. Take over my things on the to do list. You’re not an interruption; You are the very purpose. I choose the better portion. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Make Room” by Community Music (featuring Elyssa Smith)
Let this song become your heart’s cry. Let it soften the soil for surrender.