August 18: INTERRUPTION

See it:

Who has done such mighty deeds, summoning each new generation from the beginning of time? It is I, the LORD, the First and the Last. I alone am he. Isaiah 41:4 (NLT)

Obey it:

I was very engaged with an article that I was writing. Words were flowing, thoughts were coming. I was “in the zone.” Then it happened. My son came into the room and asked me if we could play some basketball. Interruption! Most of us see interruptions as negative occurrences that come to disturb our carefully crafted calendar, but it need not be so. Here are three principles to make interruptions your ally:

1.      They may seem like interruptions to you, but they were on God’s calendar. We define an interruption as “an encounter or event that was not planned.” If we look at the life of Jesus as an example, we can see His reaction to the interruptions. Jesus blessed children, resurrected the dead, healed the sick, all outside of the programmed schedule for that day. That interruption you are experiencing might be God’s chance to perform a miracle.

2.      Submit your calendar to God, which involves surrendering control of yours. Someone said that if you want to make God smile tell Him your final/definite plans. Submit your calendar to God. You’re not in the driver’s seat, and Jesus is not your co-pilot. Expect interruptions to come into your life today.

3.       Instead of thinking how the interruption affects you, think about how it helps others. God is calling you to pause for a moment today, and instead of seeing the interruption like a stone in your shoe, think about how your help will be a blessing to the person who does not even have shoes. We don’t use people to achieve our dreams, we help others discover theirs and help them to become reality. Remember that “Often our plans fail so that God’s plans for us may succeed.”  Help in Daily Living by E.G.White (p.6)

Share it:
1. Call someone you haven’t talked to in a while.  2. Give someone a flower . . . . or a dozen.  3. Offer someone else your spot on the bus/train/line.

My prayer today:
God, direct my calendar today. Take over my schedule and help me take advantage of those “God appointments.” Make interruptions my ally today. Amen.

Season of Service