Spiritual Whitespace

This post is part of the  “Finding Spiritual Whitespace Blog Tour” which I am a part of, along with a group of soulful, journeying kindreds. To learn more and join us, CLICK HERE!  

White space? Do you have it? Honestly, before hearing of Bonnie Gray's book, Finding Spiritual Whitespace: Awakening Your Soul to Rest, I never really thought of white space and what it really means.  Here is an explanation of it from Wikipedia {yes, I know, not the greatest source in the world, but I like what it said.}

White space is often referred to as negative space. It is the portion of a page left unmarked: margins, gutters, and space between columns, lines of type, graphics, figures, or objects drawn or depicted. The term arises from graphic design practice, where printing processes generally use white paper. White space should not be considered merely 'blank' space — it is an important element of design which enables the objects in it to exist at all; the balance between positive (or non-white) and the use of negative spaces is key to aesthetic composition.

"The portion of the page left unmarked":  As I walked into church this past Sunday I opened up the notes portion in the bulletin.  To my surprise the pastor was going to speak on rest {spiritual whitespace in Bonnie's book}. He started by saying that the world leaves a mark on our souls. It contaminates us. It worries us. It beats us down. We need a place in our souls where we are not marked by it.  We need a place where only God is...our time with Him is our whitespace.

"An important element of design which enables the objects in it to exist at all": We are designed for whitespace.  We are made to rest in God.  Without it we really don't exist at all.  Sure, we go from day to day, but we really don't live to the full without resting in Him. To clean our souls we need to make a white space for God. From the beginning, He became an example of rest for us when on the seventh day of creation He rested.  I highly doubt that God needs rest, but rather that He wanted to show us how important "whitespace" is in our lives.

"(It) is key to aesthetic composition.": Whitespace is the key to a beautiful life. My life has been marred by heartache and loss.  I am sure yours has too.  But God has a way with the ashes of our lives.  He brings beauty in if we will let Him in.  The only way to let Him in is to give Him space.

This week I am taking time to have whitespace with Him. How about you?

Bonnie Gray is the writer behind Faith Barista.com who wrote a book about her inspiring, heart-breaking journey to find rest, which garnered Publisher’s Weekly starred review. I’m taking the journey to find rest through this guidebook and invite you to read it too.  You can get a copy HERE.