What Does It Mean to “Make Space for God”?

At the beginning of every month, I talk about how we can make space for God. I appreciate that practice because it helps me center myself before God and realign my priorities. It brings my attention back to what God is already doing.

But to be honest, I'm getting so I don't even like the term make space. Sometimes it sounds like something we do in our own strength, almost as if we can manufacture God's presence. If I can just be quiet enough, pray enough, slow down enough, pay enough attention...then maybe I'll experience God. And when something becomes dependent on our own effort, we inevitably feel guilty when we fail.

Making space becomes another spiritual achievement.

Every month, I like to set an intention and ask, How will I make space for God this month? I still think there is something good about that question. But I can't stay there too long without reminding myself of what comes first:

God is already here. God is already acting. God is already holding me.

Silence, creativity, spiritual direction, wondering, prayer—none of these practices produce God's presence. They aren't techniques for getting ourselves into the right state so God can reach us. They're ways of turning toward a reality that precedes our effort.

And maybe even more importantly: I don't have to successfully make space for God for God to be present.

I don't have to have a beautiful quiet time. I don't have to feel particularly spiritual. I don't even have to be particularly good at paying attention. God isn't waiting on the other side of my successful spiritual practice. He's already here.

So I'm still wrestling with what I mean when I say make space for God. Maybe I don't need to stop saying it. Maybe I just need to understand it differently.