A Pause to Ponder God's Word
"Interruption"

 The group of 150 or so people had gathered to prepare for a weeklong conference. We gathered for a crucial element in our preparation, a time of worship. We had sung songs to our Lord and were now in quiet meditative prayer when suddenly there was an interruption. One of the staff's two-way radios crackled and all in the room heard the message that was being received. My immediate reaction was to question the person's neglecting to turn off the radio during such an important time.  The suddenly a thought crossed my mind, what if that were God calling?  This may sound like an odd question, but the reality is that there are times when we are so into our worship, so captivated by the act of worship, so routine in our worship, or caught up in the emotion of our worship, that if God were to call out to us it would be as much an interruption as that radio. We might even be disturbed by the fact that God would interrupt us, or we might possibly miss His voice because it is reacted to as an interruption.

Philip was in the midst of a powerful revival. New believers were being added to the church daily and great miracles were taking place. There was great joy in the city. (Acts 8:4-8) Things were really happening when God interrupted and told Philip to leave. (8:26-39) He told Philip to leave this great revival and go to a desert road. There Philip ministered to an Ethiopian man who later, church history tells us, became a key in spreading the gospel and establishing the church in the east. Philip was tuned into the Lord so he was able to recognize that though this was an interruption it was not a disturbance. Rather God was breaking in to call and direct His servant.

 Such interruptions may not be the norm, though God may attempt to interrupt more than we realize. Are we prepared to hear Him when He interrupts our plans, our orders, or our structure? Are we so in tune to God that if He were to speak to us right in the middle of our prayer we would hear and respond? Are we ready for God to break in upon is and do things differently than He has done it before, or to direct us to do it differently than we have done it before? Or would such things be considered a disturbance to be frowned upon, brushed off and discounted?

 It might just be that God is trying to break in upon us and we just don't want to be interrupted. How about we open ourselves to Him in such a way that He can interrupt any time He chooses? Let us do all we need to do to tune ourselves to Him, His voice, and His moving so that when He interrupts we are prepared to respond. There just might be history-making encounters that need to happen for the advancement of the Kingdom.

Keep Close to Jesus
Pastor Gerry


A Pause To Ponder God's Word is written and distributed by Gerald Whetstone, Ordained Elder and teacher in the Church of the Nazarene. These devotionals may be transmitted, duplicated, used in part or in entirety without permission for nonprofit purposes only. Responses welcome. To Subscribe Click Here.
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