I'm a teacher and as teachers we plan - we plan to a T...but also teachers you must be very ready for the inevitable. That plan may very well change. You gear yourself up to teach a child 2+2 only to discover that not only can they do this already, but are masters at subtraction! The plan must change! And me, I am resistant to change! Once a plan is in my head- we must go with the plan. The plan is there for a reason and if it's not broke don't fix it-just stick to the plan!
Not only do we plan everyday but plans change everyday and they way we respond to those changes can determine a lot in our lives- we can be bitter and resentful or we can look for the jewels in the storm. I recently thought to myself, if anyone interrupts my plan, I'm not too happy - and then kind of thought - "What if God interrupts my plan?"
These thoughts stem from a Biblical story I read:
Tired and exhausted, a traveller ventures on a long road hurrying to get to his destination, when out of nowhere robbers come upon him and beat him up. The thieves beat him, take his clothes and anything else of worth and leave him for dead. He lays there lifeless with nothing but the cold wind reminding him that he is alive. Some time later a priest travels down the same road, rushing to the temple. In the distance he sees a man half clothed covered in blood. Afraid the robbers may still be out there, and concerned about the time, the priest crosses over to the other side of the road pretending he had seen nothing. Just when the man thought all hope was lost, a Levite came walking down the road. He too seemed to be late and in a hurry. The Levite sees the silhouette of the man but pays it no attention. He has not the time nor the patience to involve himself in this situation and crosses to the other side of the road and continues to his destination. The man is all but ready to give up hope when a third man, a Samaritan, trails down the road. The Samaritan sees the man, the cuts, the bruises and feels compassion. Quickly, the Samaritan runs over to the man and begins to attempt to nurse his wounds. Realising that the man had been seriously injured the Samaritan carries the badly hurt man to an inn and pays for the man's stay there.
This, you may have guessed, is the story of the Good Samaritan that Jesus told and I've been meditating on it for a while. It being a typical Sunday School story and I've never thought to delve deeper- but one day God began to share with me some truths. Both the priest and the Levite were religious men who, from the outer appearance, loved God. They were both in ministry and may have even been on their way to minister and when they saw a 'disruption'.
So many times we ask God to come - we ask Him to fill us love - we ask Him for more, and I believe that everyday He answers our prayers! Love is not just a feeling, Love is an action. The priest that morning may have spent time praying about all the crime in the area and how there needs to be more love, and there on his travels was an opportunity of love. Can we be interrupted? Though things may not go our way, there's every opportunity for things to go God's way if we align ourselves with His will and Isaiah 55:9 says His ways are higher! If God interrupted my day with such an opportunity, would I just cross over to the other side? I believe it's a possibility in this day and age where business is a lifestyle, and schedules are loved above people.
The fact that these were religious men never ceases to amaze me and reminds me of the label and stereotype that comes with ministry and loving God and how so any that don't fall into the 'box' of ministry are undervalued. Sometimes we can get twisted and believe that ministers are those who stand on stage, at the pulpit and deliver the Word. Or those who lead worship on a regular basis. Forgetting that we are all ministers 24/7 as Paul calls us ministers of reconciliation and we are told in Romans 12:2 that to present our bodies as a living sacrifice is our spiritual sacrifice. James 1:27 also mentions that true religion is to look after widows and orphans! So many times we get it wrong and cross over the road, taking no responsibility for the hurt and the broken we dismiss and pretend don't exist as they interrupt our plan to spiritual maturity, but when really God has allowed them to cross our path that we may grow in Him and show His love!
Can God interrupt your plan?
Growing up in a culture where women are despised, Mary had tried her hardest to work well. She had managed to obtain a bottle of expensive perfume. A year's wages it cost! It may have even been her most valued possession and she may have had great plans for it, but one day her plan would change. Jesus was coming back into town! Mary loved Jesus with all her heart. This Man, this great Man had brought her brother back to life! Mary had met no one like Him- well then again He was no ordinary Man! He taught them Biblical Truths she had not heard spoken with such authority before and loved the freedom that came with His presence. She truly owed this Man her life! He was coming to their house and so they were preparing a dinner for Him. The whole day a thought had plagued Mary's mind about something she could do to show Jesus her love for Him. Only one action stood out, and only that action would stand. When Jesus arrived, Mary knew what she had to do. Whilst the food was being prepared Mary grabbed her expensive perfume and poured the perfume on Jesus' feet and wiped it with her hair. Her plans had changed...for the better....
(John 12:1-11)
Can God interrupt our plans? We need to be ready to go with the Holy Spirit- ready to give it all when needs be. 'ALL' may not look like what we expect, but we need to be ready to trust God and go in the way that He leads us!
No comments:
Post a Comment