Sometimes we are so busy that we don't allow for interruptions, much less see them as divine appointments. We might be "making such good time" that it is hard to stop. Or maybe we are really getting a lot done and checking things off of our to do list and we don't want to break the rhythm of what we're doing. We may be doing a lot of business and having a profitable day and don't want to blow a carefully developed opportunity to do our job well. If we aren't careful, we'll see these interruptions as irritations rather than divine appointments. 

In one sense, most of Jesus' miracles were interruptions. Oftentimes, He was on the way to another appointment when someone else would stop Him and provide Him the opportunity to do something miraculous. For example, in Mt 9:18-22 we find the following such incident:

"While He spoke these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped Him, saying, 'My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her and she will live.' So Jesus arose and followed him, and so did His disciples. And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. For she said to herself, 'If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.' 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."

The Gospels are full of these "divine appointment" type of interruptions in Jesus' schedule. Do you remember Jesus' visit to Zacchaeus' house, the widow at Nain whose son was healed, and the man let down through the ceiling by his four friends who was both forgiven and healed? Each of these stories involved an "interruption" in Jesus' plans, yet Jesus chose to listen to the people and look beyond the surface and reach out with God's grace.

In one sense, most of Jesus' miracles were interruptions.

Jesus could be interrupted; shouldn't we be willing to be interrupted also?

Do you allow Jesus to interrupt your schedule?

If we're not allowing interruptions like these in our schedules, don't you think we may be missing some very important divine appointments?

 

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© 2004 Mike Barres.

Title: "Annoying Interruptions or Divine Appointments"
Author: Mike Barres
Publication Date: July 01, 2004

Two Hearts Praying as One by Dennis and Barbara Rainey "Praying together may be the single most important spiritual discipline you and your spouse will ever share," say the Raineys--it reduces conflicts and safeguards marriages from divorce.

Mike is a pastor and writer for a number of online publications.

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