Interruptions!
Author
Carmen Ray-Calvo
Summary: Interruptions confront us with situations we did not expect and test our attitude. Paul and Silas traveled to Macedonia to proclaim the gospel, but an interruption led them to prison. There, the jailer and his household heard the word of the Lord. In Daniel, another interruption revealed God’s glory and sovereignty; other people in the Bible faced changes that even cost them their lives. When we face difficulties, let us not allow complaining, guilt, or fear of abandonment to silence our prayers. Let us remember that God cares for us, sustains us by his grace, and can work for good.
The word “interruption” means the suspension or disruption of the course of events or of the causal connection that determines them. It is vitally important to ask ourselves: What would our attitude be when something happens that we did not expect?
And suddenly we find ourselves facing a completely contrary situation.
Paul and Silas set out for Macedonia to help a Macedonian man whom Paul had seen in a vision pleading with him to help him. Certain that God was calling them to proclaim the gospel to them, they began their missionary journey with the purpose of proclaiming the words of the kingdom.
Verses 16 through 23 of Acts 16 tell us about the interruption they encountered on their way. This was quite possibly not part of their plans. But verses 28 through 32 give us a clear revelation of the result of that interruption. Not only was the jailer saved, but he and everyone in his household had the privilege of hearing the word of the Lord.
In the book of Daniel, we also read of another surprising interruption, but one with a wonderful outcome that revealed the glory of the true God, displaying His Sovereignty, Power, and Exaltation.
From Abel (in the book of Genesis) to John in Revelation, we read of men and women of the Bible who were taken by surprise by great interruptions. For many, these cost them their very lives.
In the face of these interruptions that life brings at unexpected times and in unexpected places, let us ask ourselves what our attitude would be:
a) Would we complain about God?
b) Would we blame Him for the situation?
c) Would we think He had abandoned us?
d) Would we think we had committed a sin and were now being punished?
e) Would we lose the desire to pray?
f) Or would we quote that so timely and well-known verse from Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God”?
In the face of life’s difficult situations, our help is in the loving hands of our God; He made us with a divine purpose. May the Lord help us to live each day under the shelter of His ineffable grace, frequently remembering that He cares for us.