Central Truth

God has a design and a purpose and will sometimes break into our lives to accomplish His mission.

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Reflections

When I was assigned this passage in The Gospels I immediately recalled a message I heard one Sunday from Pastor Kelly Harrison. He called it 'An Unexpected Interruption.' His unique perspective on the story of Mary and Joseph told about the young couple pledged in marriage, and how God reconfigured their plans. He spoke of their reactions: Mary's faithful obedience and Joseph's questioning. It caused me to remember …

It was 1993 and Rick and I had three of our four children in college. We both had great professions and were financially comfortable. Then, from out of nowhere, Rick's company decided to reduce their work force and, as a great surprise to us, Rick lost his job. Our life and some of our plans for the future were interrupted. After the shock and dismay of that fateful day, we decided to trust God and thank Him for what we did have. And yet, doubt and questions were to follow. How did this happen? What does it mean? Why now? Pastor Kelly reminded us in his sermon that God is not put off by our questions. He is not angered by them. Sometimes He just makes us stop and go another way, but His plan for us ultimately is always for good; for joy!

'Thank God for life saving interruptions.' Pastor Kelly said. To that, I say 'Amen'! Rick's company eventually went under. The people who lost their jobs as the company dissolved had a much harder road to travel. They did not get the severance pay that Rick received and they were out looking for work in a more difficult economic time. We did not fully understand God's plan back then but we often remember that time from our perspective in the present, and we thank Him. Those events taught us to follow His lead in times of interruption.

And what about those little daily interruptions: the phone call, the chatty clerk, the traffic detour? I have to remember to focus on God. He has a minute by minute plan and will show me His design in life's interruptions.

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Discussion Questions

1. Describe a time in your life when God has intervened with His plans and taken you onto a new road.

2. Why do you think God's ideas are sometimes so different from ours?

3. How was Joseph's initial reaction to God's plan different from Mary's?

4. Here is a good way to react to God's interruptions: "Stop, Drop, Pray". What does that mean to you?

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