November 12, 2009
Please Interrupt Me
"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
1 Corinthians 13:13 (NIV)
Devotion:
I wonder if the greatest witnessing tool available to us Christians is often pushed aside because of our busyness.
The other day I was focused on all the items on my seemingly never ending to do list. As I was sitting at a stoplight a friend called me and started lamenting that her son had forgotten his lunch and his belt required by the school's uniform policy. She was stressed and trying to get in touch with her husband who'd just dropped her son off at school. She was at home with a new baby feeling groggy from a sleepless night and overwhelmed by her situation.
Her son could probably get his friends to share their lunches with him. But, the belt would be a problem. The school would call her when they noticed the missing belt and require her to bring one. She lives over 20 minutes from the school.
As I sat at the stoplight listening to my friend, I looked to the store off to my right. That store has belts. That store has lunch food. I was faced with a decision. Could I help? Well, I could but my schedule would have to be rearranged a bit. Would I help? My friend wasn't asking but in that moment I knew it would be a tremendous blessing for her.
This day I wouldn't let my busyness take precedence over the blessing of divine interruptions and opportunities to love. So, I helped.
I don't know this for sure but I suspect my friend had been asking Jesus to please help her. It's hard being up half the night with a sleepless baby. It's hard to find a new normal when life gets a little off kilter by changes in the family dynamic. It's hard when you need help but feel like everyone is so busy you hate to bother them.
Now, I'll admit, I'm a task-oriented person so it doesn't come naturally for me to look for ways to be interrupted in the midst of my busyness. But sitting at that stoplight, I realized the power of pausing. Pausing just long enough for Jesus to tap on the edge of my heart and say, "Could you? Would you? Do this as if it's the most important part of your day and not an unwelcome interruption."
The Bible teaches one of the most important precepts is love. When we love others we are living the message of Jesus. And listen to what Psalm 19:8 says, "The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes."
Oh how many times have I missed the joy of pausing to live and love and light the world for Jesus?
Dear Lord, help me to pause today and remember my great witnessing tool is to simply be available to love others. Show me where I can love. Make me courageous enough to step aside my carefully planned to do list and look for ways to be an answer to the prayers someone has prayed today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa's blog for a fun contest to win a gift for you and one to share with a friend!
Speaking of friends… we'd like to invite you to the girlfriend's get-away of a lifetime! Join Lysa TerKeurst, Karen Kingsbury, Angela Thomas, Renee Swope and some other gals from Proverbs 31 Ministries for the Girl's Getaway Cruise in 2010! It's surprisingly affordable and just the getaway we girls need to get recharged and refocused. For more information, click here.
And if you are looking for a great Bible Study to do with your girlfriends, Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst is a great one to consider.
Application Steps:
Spend some time praying about an opportunity to be interrupted today. Remember when the interruptions come…connect them with the prayer you prayed and enjoy your experience of God.
Reflections:
Is there anyone in my life that is currently going through some changes where I could practically lend a hand?
How can I create some more white space in my life to make myself more available to help others?
Power Verses:
Deuteronomy 15:7-8, "If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs." (NIV)
Psalm 19:8, "The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes." (NIV)
© 2009 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105