Proverbs 16:9 NLT We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.
Productivity experts always promote the power of planning and scheduling. Articles, blogs, and podcasts with titles like ‘The Power of Planning’ or ‘Scheduling Your Way to Productivity’ fill our inbox. We often end our day thinking about what was accomplished, what was left incomplete, and what the plans are for tomorrow. We determine our life’s agenda and activities based on whether they fit into our plans or schedule for the day, always trying to minimize disruptions.
But is that how Jesus lived? In John 5:19, Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does.” Shouldn’t we be asking each day, "What does the Father want me doing?” So much of Jesus’s ministry was seemingly ‘unplanned’. Most often, His ministry happened when traveling from one place to another or just during the day’s normal activities. When traveling, we are typically focused on the destination, but Jesus focused on the people and opportunities to extend the kingdom of God.
The woman at the well, the woman with the issue of blood, the ten lepers, the Roman centurion’s son, Peter’s mother-in-law, blind Bartimaeus, the paraplegic whose friends lowered him through the roof, the synagogue leader’s daughter—the majority of encounters where Jesus healed sickness and disease, delivered from demonic spirits, and raised people from the dead were interruptions. Scripture is filled with words such as suddenly, while he was still speaking, while he was walking, or while they were departing.
What we see as interruptions, Jesus saw as opportunities for ministry and miracles. Opportunities to show people that God sees them, He loves them, and He has a plan and a purpose for their life. Jesus saw in every person the purpose and destiny God created them for. He never saw someone too sick to heal, too possessed to deliver, or too lost to rescue. In fact, the only people he rejected were the religious who refused to reach down and love the unlovely.
Sometimes in our own lives, when we least expect it, God tends to show up and interrupt what we are doing. We view these interruptions as an inconvenience, an annoying set of circumstances, some frustrating event, or just bad timing. But God interrupts because he desires to transition us to another season of life or we’ve grown lukewarm in our relationship with Him. These interruptions often serve as a well-timed wake-up call to get our focus back on what is important and off the temporary and insignificant.
Much of today’s Christianity has become participation in big production events instead of ‘unplanned’ opportunities to demonstrate God’s love and power. Has our desire for convenience and entertainment caused us to miss a chance to put faith into action?
If you dare, ask for the Lord to open your eyes to everyday encounters where you can be salt and light to someone who is hurting. Embrace the interruptions: at work, in the grocery store, at the gym, and yes…..even at church. He will gladly answer that prayer.
Isaiah 32:3 GNT Then their eyes and ears will be open to the needs of the people.
Psalms 32:8 NIV I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
Isaiah 58:11 TPT The Lord will always guide you where to go and what to do. He will fill you with refreshment even when you are in a dry, difficult place. He will continually restore strength to you, so you will flourish like a well-watered garden and like an ever-flowing, trustworthy spring of blessing.
Ephesians 1:18 GNT I pray that your minds may be opened to see his light, so that you will know what is the hope to which he has called you, how rich are the wonderful blessings he promises his people, and how very great is his power at work in us who believe.
John 5:19 NLT So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does.
Isaiah 48:17 NLT This is what the Lord says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow.
Psalms 37:23 TPT When Yahweh delights in how you live your life, he establishes your every step.
Jeremiah 10:23 NIV Lord, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps.
Jeremiah 29:11 NLT For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Matthew 8:14-15 TPT Then Jesus entered Peter’s home and found Peter’s mother-in-law bedridden, severely ill with a fever. The moment Jesus touched her hand she was healed!
Matthew 9:2 TPT Just then some people brought a paraplegic man to him, lying on a sleeping mat. When Jesus perceived the strong faith within their hearts, he said to the paralyzed man, My son, be encouraged, for your sins have been forgiven.
Matthew 9:20, 22 TPT Suddenly, a woman came from behind Jesus and touched the tassel of his prayer shawl for healing. She had been suffering from continual bleeding for twelve years, but had faith that Jesus could heal her. Just then Jesus turned around and looked at her and said, “My daughter, be encouraged. Your faith has healed you.” And instantly she was healed!
Mark 5:1-3,6 TPT As Jesus stepped ashore, a demon-possessed madman came out of the graveyard and confronted him. They arrived at the other side of the lake, at the region of the Gerasenes. The man had been living there among the tombs, and no one was able to restrain him, not even with chains. When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran to him and threw himself down before him.
2 Chronicles 16:9 AMP For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth so that He may support those whose heart is completely His.
Psalm 119:18 GNT Open my eyes, so that I may see the wonderful truths in your word.
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