Navigating Interruptions

How many times a day do you find yourself starting in one direction and being pulled into another?

You intended to finish a set of chores, but you need to tend to your crying little one.

You were working on a project, but your boss asks you to prioritize an urgent task instead.

You were just about to sit down to read your Bible, but your friend calls and wants to talk about an issue she’s facing.

Life is full of disruptions and redirections, and when we look at our to-do lists at the end of the day, we might feel our hearts sink that we didn’t get everything done that we had planned.

Am I failing?

Am I doing enough?

Am I pleasing God?

Interruptions are inevitable… So, how do we navigate them in a way that honors God?

We look to Christ.

When we look at the life of Jesus, we see that He was met with interruption nearly everywhere He went. Jesus was asleep on the boat when His disciples woke Him to calm the storm (Mark 4:35-41). While on His way to heal Darius’s daughter, Jesus also healed the bleeding woman (Mark 5:21-34). The list goes on.

Jesus, in His perfect omniscience, already knew all these things would happen. He knew He would be interrupted and redirected. But what He shows us as His followers—we, being limited humans—is important.

Jesus shows us that much of our ministry in life will not be planned, but rather, it will be put on our path according to the Father’s plan.

Christ displays perfect submission to the Father’s will, and we too must submit to God’s plan, even if it means moving in a new direction. What we view as disruption is actually God’s sovereign hand at work. God knows best, and we can trust Him. When we step in faith into His redirection, God is glorified.

So when things don’t go according to plan, or you feel like you are off course, here are a few truths to remember:

• God’s Word will always succeed and accomplish His purpose (Isaiah 55:11)

• He is working all things together for His glory and our good (Romans 8:28) 

Take heart, friend. God sees you. Even in the midst of interruptions, He is using you to accomplish His will.

Reflect:

What do interruptions reveal about my heart?

Where do I see God’s sovereign hand at work?