For those who know me they know I am very organized, not a procrastinator - in fact I would rather turn something in early - just in case something unexpected happens. Yes, I am one of those who does not let my gas tank go below half in case there is an emergency. I Christmas shop year round. I am a creature of habit and do not like interruptions. Many of you may be opposite of me but I bet the one thing we agree on is that we do not like interruptions.
For the past two weeks many people at my work have been interrupted. Due to the continuous leaking in a building we have had to move staff members and volunteers. That building is going to be closed off so anyone who uses that building is being relocated. I have been moved four times - only twice physically. But in my mind I have everything sorted out ready to move and then it changes. I get myself psyched for the next place and then it changes. This morning it was changed again. When I write I like to have a “work space” that I go to but I have not had that for the last two weeks thus feeling very unorganized. I was struggling with this week’s blog when I felt God’s nudge reminding me that we are all going through interruptions.
In this life we are going to have tribulation and interruptions! John 16: 33, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” I do not believe it is a coincidence that my Bible study this morning was about interruptions! I love when God shows off like that! So the way I look at it is that I have a decision to make. We can be annoyed, angry, agitated, etc about the inconveniences and interruptions or we can look for the blessings.
Today in my Bible Study, “We Saved You A Seat” by Lisa-Jo Baker, I read, “If there is one thing that defined Jesus’ time on earth it was His willingness to be interrupted.” And He was not annoyed by them, in fact, He welcomed them! He stopped every single time He was interrupted, detoured or inconvenienced….Being willing to be interrupted….is about the state of our hearts.” Wow! We do not go through anything that Jesus hasn’t been through! Let’s look at some of Jesus’ interruptions and how He handled them. If you read ahead of the verses it usually tells where Jesus was going or what He was doing. I think that is so we know that He got interrupted!
Matthew 8: 5-13, “Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, saying, ‘Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘I will come and heal him.’ ….. Then Jesus said to the centurion, ‘Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.’ And his servant was healed that same hour.”
Matthew 8: 14-15, “Now when Jesus had come into Peter’s house, He saw his wife’s mother lying sick with a fever. So He touched her hand, and the fever left her. And she arose and served them.”
Matthew 9: 1-8, “So He got into a boat, crossed over, and came to His own city. Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed’.....then He said to the paralytic, ‘Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.’ And he arose and departed to his house. Now when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such power to men.”
Matthew 9: 20-22, “And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment…But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, ‘Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour.’”
Matthew 10: 46-52, “Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus…...began to cry out and say, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’.....Then Jesus said to him, ‘Go your way; your faith has made you well.’ And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.”
During our times of interruptions, let’s be more like Jesus. We can pray as Paul prayed for us to be more loving. God has shown us love and gives us the power to follow that example. 1 Thessalonians 3: 12, “And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you,” Life interruptions lead to God opportunities!
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