“We must be ready to allow ourselves to be interrupted by God. God will be constantly crossing our paths and canceling our plans by sending us people with claims and petitions. We may pass them by, preoccupied with our more important tasks, as the priest passed by the man who had fallen among thieves, perhaps – reading the Bible. When we do that we pass by the visible sign of the Cross raised athwart our path to show us that, not our way, but God’s way must be done.
It is a strange fact that Christians and even ministers frequently consider their work so important and urgent that they will allow nothing to disturb them. They think they are doing God a service in this, but actually they are disdaining God’s ‘crooked yet straight path’ (Gottfried Arnold).
They do not want a life that is crossed and balked. But it is part of the discipline of humility that we must not spare our hand where it can perform a service and that we do not assume that our schedule is our own to manage, but allow it to be arranged by God.”
– Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together (via inward/outward)
I used to get more uptight when my schedule is disturbed. I mean I’m supposed to finish what I’m supposed to do right? Or perhaps it’s more like I want to drown myself in doing “stuff”. But it’s hard when there are three needy kids in the house. Each wanting attention, or when a fight erupts. When do we ever stop adjusting to the unexpected? When do we ever have a chance to sit down and just chill like now? Well, we do and there will be special times like now when everyone is asleep and I can blog my heart’s content :-) But equally, there will be times of “interruptions” and I believe it’s an art to begin to learn how to embrace these “interruptions”.
I think of the unplanned conversations I had over the phone and across the table. I recall my whole week’s focus shift after knowing there is a need to walk with a friend through hell (possibly still walking through that). I’m not saint and I’m sure no superman. One’s energy is limited. At times, I pat myself on the back for handling the “interruptions” pretty well. Other times I crash and am zonked out. Sometimes, I avoid the “interruptions”. It’s hard to know when is God in it. But, God is always in the process of hindsight. He’s surely there when one pauses to discern upon reflection. It’s the actual “stuff” which serves as the raw material for the Spirit’s transforming work. And while some situations can never be changed, the effect of what had happened can be.
I’ve had some missed calls and missed appointments lately. It’s mostly because the timing of possible meet ups evaded us. But I’m looking forward to have a special Christmas season by meeting this persistent friend who has not given up saying “hello!” 🙂
hi Sivin,
Your post reminded me of something I read in Crosscurrents a few years back that have a powerful effect on me. It was an article written by a Jesuit about his busy day and how he hated to be interrupted. He was interrupted by a young girl who was in trouble. This article was a reflection on what would have happened if he had rejected the interruption and what did happen because he had embraced the interruption. In our busy life, we have to see ‘interruptions’ in its proper context. An I interrupting you?
My soul can resonate with this post as it is something I wrestle with regularly … I used to think that I was indisciplined to live my life in a way that ,any would term “reactive” instead of proactive, where many interuptions keep “messing up” my schedule and I allow it.
But I think I have come to a happier rhythm now … I still use Covey’s 7 Laws as a basic guide and try to stick to the quadrant 2 focus (so I am being disciplined and not just always going witht he mood and flow) but I highlight and tell myself 2 things …
1. Work according to my Rhythm!
Which generally for me means keeping in mind that different seasons will realistically mean some things in one season will have to take a back seat and others a front seat etc. And that even some days I wil have to abandon some of my plans for another due to an emergency or simply becasue I am too tired and in danger of burning out.
For the more spiritual … it simply is me trying to keep in step with the Spirit 🙂
2. Relationship over activity
That to me is that helping and caring for people is an IMPORTANT activity that should be a higher priority than an activity or event. I think if the people factor is taklen care of, the activity factor will be ok but not the other way around.
This hit me hard when I read another friend’s blog. This guy (I think a fairly new Christian) is so crushed in spirit (he is a pro magician / clown entertaner) because he broke his finger and so had to cancel doing a Christmas outreach show for his church. He spent 2 weeks working on this show and he was so disappointed not to be able to help. Then he gets an e-mail from his pastor (to be circulated) asking people to commit to daily prayer for the event and for a replacement clown / magician – exhorting memebrs to come for a special meeting top pray for the event etc. In the e-mail it mentions that this young man broke his finger and can’t do the show hence the need to find a replacement etc BUT not a word on praying for his broken finger (had to have an op done)
Sad to me that this young man (who loved God very much) is left feeling that his only value to his church is when he can give free service and that an activity is more important than his well being.
Anyway … LONG post right? 🙂 To help me not get too “cranky” and stressed out when people needs can become overwhelming, I try to be as disciplined as possible to try and stay ahead of schedule for some things that I know ahead of time I can work on …. like sermon and teaching preparation, as well as blocking time and making appointments to visit people. That way I cover as much as possible in a less hectic season.
I like that phrase “God’s crooked yet straight path” – another imagery to add to my “life walk metaphor” philosophy of life …. Many interuptions upon hindsight have been God sent teaching moments or holy moments in my life when the real “activity” happens and the Holy Spirit works in my heart
Ok got to get back to “my work” … your blog post “interupted” my very important work! LOL!!
A bit out of context but nice pic of our friend’s new tattoo.
I’ll start with Bob K … he’s witnessing with his hands!
Paul Long – ouch. .. it’s not just about “broken” fingers but “broken” hearts. Aiyo. Church leadership and Christians suck big time when I hear stories like what you mentioned. I think I’ve been guilty too … Lord have mercy. And yet, this is a wider problem, because many Christians do the same to church leaders and the Church too … they will come to them when they need help, support, friendship and then throw them aside when they don’t fit into “whatever” is expected of them. Double mercy lord, we all suck. Thus, we suckers need saving
Alex Tang – Nice to get “interruptions” from you once a while. 🙂 I’m learning these days also how to “intuitively” discern various interruptions. Some distract us, others are “Jesus coming to us in disguise”. Tricky but necessary growing in this area.