Before you start to worry, this post has nothing at all to do with Al Gore or global warming. Aren’t you relieved?
It does have to do with a word with which I awoke this morning:
con·ven·ient (kən-vēn’yənt) Pronunciation Key
adj.
- Suited or favorable to one’s comfort, purpose, or needs: a convenient time to receive guests; a convenient excuse for not going.
Have you ever – wait a minute! OF COURSE, you’ve had those days where you’ve had 1002 things to do and something happened that required your sudden attention, derailing your plans. If you’re like me, you like having your day wrapped up like a pretty package; comfortable, “favorable to your purpose.”I’m not a fan of the “monkey wrench” thrown in the mix.
But, we’re not supposed to be living to our purpose, are we? And, if that’s the case, things may not always be convenient. We might be interrupted to follow something God’s suddenly called us to do that messes with our plans. Gloria Gaither, has been quoted as saying, “I look back at our lives and think that God’s will has been played out in the interruptions.”
If that were true, how many times have we sabotaged God’s will in our lives by choosing the convenient? How many blessings have we missed by insisting on our own plan or agenda?
I searched the word “convenient” in the Bible, and this is what I found:
Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, “How can I help?” Romans 15:1 MSG
Convicting, isn’t it? I wonder how much more effective our lives would be if we learned to embrace the interruptions instead of being frustrated, or worse, running from them altogether!
Oh, that I could relish the blessing of being inconvenienced!
Melinda, I have trouble embracing interruptions, too. Gotta work on that!
This is a great reminder for me in the next several days after having been gone for 17 days. Because there will be many interruptions that if I hadn’t read this to become prepared, I shudder to think the blessings I may have missed. Lord, keep me moldable and welcoming the interruptions.
Love ya!
That Gloria Gaither quote is great!
I so struggle with my “list” each day, but I am finding that on the days where I say “God please interrupt me today and show me what You want me to do” I’m a much better wife, mommy and friend. You would think knowing that, I would surrender more!
Have a wonderful Sunday..
stephanie
So true. It is all the frame of mind we are in isn’t it? I so want the first thought in my head to be “what are You trying to show me Lord”?
I’ve got a ways to go on that for sure.
This past week was all about my “inconveniences”…all good stuff, but nevertheless, my burden at times. Finishing up Bible study, teaching a children’s church lesson, being in charge of our church fall festival, leading the adult ss class yesterday morning. I admit it…I don’t like being this busy, but still and yet, I tried to focus on each responsibility as an opportunity to be “used up” for Jesus. Along the way came many interruptions to my scheduled week, but here I am…a week down the road…fully in tact and used up!
Do it again, Lord, and give me the wisdom to receive your teaching along the way.
peace~elaine
Thank you for your post, Melinda. I really needed it today.
WOW!! I sure don’t want to miss anything God has to say over me. I want to be adaptable and more than willing to accept the interuption.
I love ya!
Fran