Ordained Interruptions

Have you ever been irritated by interruptions?  It is natural to want to obtain our goals easily according to our plans.  Today I intended to go on a short run.  Not even two minutes into the run, I "ran" into a friend.  My plan to complete the run in a timely manner was thwarted.  The run was finished in due time, and God blessed me with a wonderful time of fellowship as He moved upon both our hearts in a time of prayer.  It was clear to both of us God had ordained that time for us to talk and share.  Even through the run had been interrupted for half an hour, we parted rejoicing.

It is not always so easy to see God's hand at work in the little interruptions of our days.  When I worked at the church office it never seemed to fail:  there were always interruptions, but God always miraculously provided enough time to fulfill my responsibilities.  How good it is to know that God sits on the throne in heaven, Jesus stands at His right hand as High Priest and Mediator, and He has sent the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts.  When I say God "sits" on the throne it is not to suggest He enjoys a sedentary lifestyle or that He is distant and untouched by the happenings in the world.  "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word which proceeds from the mouth of God."  In Him we live, breathe, and have our being.  God is completely active in everything that happens on earth.  He allows us to make mistakes, and orchestrates chains of events for our good and His glory.  God even allows shocking tragedies we cannot explain or understand.  But though the sea rages and the wind howl, the earth may shake and the stars may fall:  God remains the great I AM.  He is in control of all things.

So the next time your plans are thwarted by car trouble, sickness, or everything in your life appears to be a "worst case scenario," cast your cares upon the LORD for He cares for you.  Some interruptions can be the enemy hassling us, but God even allows this to test our hearts to see if we will remain loyal to Him.  Interruptions are often opportunities.  Don't choose bitterness or frustration when God would have you embrace interruptions He allows in your plans.  Proverbs 16:9 tells us, "A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps."  God's ways are higher than ours, and by wings of faith we can soar upon His winds of grace.  Come up higher, my friends!  Rejoice in the truth that God remains in control!