Opening Thoughts
The dictionary describes “interruption” as a stoppage or hindering of an activity for a time, or a break in the continuity of something.
Interruptions have been happening since the world began, but certainly now more than ever we recognize that everyone on earth is being interrupted… and currently for the same reason. Therefore, the question isn’t “will we be interrupted” as much as “how will we respond to those interruptions”? What does that look like for a people of faith who already made the choice to “interrupt” their own lives with new disciplines at the beginning of Lent? Throughout this hiatus of life as we knew it and then when this break in continuity is behind us, how do we want to see ourselves. What can possibly sustain us when our existence has been turned upside down. Truly by recognizing that no matter what the interruption is, there is still one constant. One thing that stays the same during a stoppage or hindering of an activity. One thing that doesn’t change when there is a break in the continuity of our everyday life. The love of Jesus Christ is that constant whether we acknowledge it or not! Have you acknowledged it? Are you willing to be open to God working in and through you during this interruption as a means to grow?
Within all the things that are currently interrupting your life, consider what these Scripture passages have to say…
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
Romans 12:12
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 8:31, 35, 37-39
What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us?
Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Prayer
God of abundant grace, open my eyes to see You in the interruptions of my life today…
Holy Spirit, open my mind so I may grow in my relationship with you. Nurture my thoughts to a deeper understanding of who you have called me to be within this time of interlude from my regular routine…
Sovereign Lord, open my heart to see interrupted moments as opportunities to accept your infinite love and to love others…
Thank you for the pauses in my life that cause me to reflect on who I am and to draw closer to you…
Amen.
Peace for interruptions – Words from song Not for a Moment
You were reaching through the storm, walking on the water
Even when I could not see.
In the middle of it all, when I thought You were a thousand miles away
Not for a moment did You forsake me. Not for a moment did You forsake me.
After all, You are constant. After all, You are only good.
After all, You are Sovereign.
Not for a moment, will You forsake me. Not for a moment will You forsake me.
You were singin’ in the dark, whispering Your promise,
Even when I could not hear.
I was held in Your arms, carried for a thousand miles to show
Not for a moment did You forsake me. Not for a moment did You forsake me.
Every step, every breath You are there. Every tear, every cry, every prayer.
In my hurt, at my worst, when my world falls down.
Not for a moment, will You forsake me. Not for a moment will You forsake me.
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