We’ve all been there — running from one thing to the next with our hands full and our thoughts spinning — when all of the sudden, we’re stopped in our tracks by a disruption. It could be a small whisper from the Lord asking us to take notice of something; but more often than not, it’s a child screaming or an urgent phone call. I personally have tried to work on being flexible with these moments, but I still often find myself frustrated or at least a little annoyed by interruptions to the flow of my life.
What if God wanted to show us the blessing within disruptions? And what if that blessing is called surrender?
Sometimes our goals can be prioritized in the wrong way. Even the most selfless visions and missional goals can become hindrances to what God really wants to do if we prioritize the way we think it should be done over God’s way. I know that’s such a simple truth, but applying it to every part of our lives (family, work, community, etc.) is easier said than done.
For a missions organization, this means laying down our grand schemes and data-driven ideas to do things Jesus’s way. He often welcomed disruption because it was people in need who were disrupting him. How did he respond to the children who were following him around? “Let them come to Me.” How did he respond to the woman who touched his robe in the crowd? “Your faith has made you well; go in peace.” And maybe most surprisingly of all, how did he respond to Mary pouring out her jar of perfume on his feet in the middle of dinner? By saying that wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she did will also be told in memory of her.
His way has always been to love the one in front of him, no matter their age, race, socio-economic standing, or reputation.
“…this means laying down our grand schemes and data-driven ideas to do things Jesus’s way.…”
I think many mothers and others who take care of those in need follow Jesus in this way so well. I think of heroes of the faith like Mother Teresa, who tirelessly served the orphans of Calcutta. Her plan wasn’t to become a large ministry with global renown. She simply felt called to help “the hungry, the naked, the homeless, the crippled, the blind, the lepers, all those people who feel unwanted, unloved, uncared for throughout society, people that have become a burden to the society and are shunned by everyone.” With patience, meekness, and strength, she would hold the sick in her arms to console them and give the little food she had to the hungry. And these simple actions day after day revealed the love of Jesus to thousands.
So how can we respond to disruption? By welcoming it with open hands! And by praying for the Lord to soften our hearts to the needs we can meet around us.
