Interruptions!

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.”   Luke 2:8,9 NLT

God is a God of order.  So, there is nothing wrong with having plans and expectations. But we must always allow for God’s interruptions.  It seems God delights in interrupting our well-laid plans sometimes!  Maybe it is because, when he does, we are forced to take our eyes off of our problems, the daily grind of life, and look up to him and receive his higher perspective and the surprise good gifts he has for us.

We are familiar with the many interruptions Joseph and Mary’s endured in their lives that God used to fulfill prophecy and bring salvation and eternal blessings to the world for untold generations.  One is recorded in the familiar passage of the Christmas story, Luke 2:1-10, in which Joseph and Mary were forced to go to Bethlehem to register, right when Mary was close to giving birth.

And then there were the shepherds, who as usual were out watching their sheep at night, when suddenly they were terrified when the angel of the Lord appeared to them.  They were expecting a quiet, normal night, when “suddenly” “a great company of heavenly hosts” appeared with the angel praising God and announcing the birth of the Savior.

God’s interruptions have the potential to eternally alter our lives.  Those shepherds’ lives were obviously changed since they immediately chose to find the Savior and be among the first to recognize and worship him. 

Maybe, like me, you have asked, “Why?” instead of asking, “How do you want me to respond, Lord?” when God interrupted your life. How prepared are you to react to God’s sudden change of plans?

As the New Year begins, expect God’s interruptions, and thank Him that he loves you so much that he chose to give you an upgrade, a promotion to a higher place, an eternal perspective, that will grow you and change your life forever. 

Pray with me: Father God, thank you that you love me so much, that you are always working in me and around me to grow me more like Jesus.  Holy Spirit, give me the desire and power to align with God’s plans and purposes when his interruptions occur.  I don’t want to miss any opportunity to grow in my knowledge and understanding, and draw closer to Jesus. It’s in my Savior’s precious name I pray. Amen.

Dear friend, be blessed with confident hope and joyful expectation as you begin the New Year. May the Holy Spirit make you sensitive to the flow of his life in and around you, so that you miss no opportunity to be lifted higher.   Amen.
Mary Sumner
December 14, 2019