By Pastor Bob DeKlavon
Ever made plans and then gotten interrupted by someone needing help with something?
The first time this ‘most clearly’ happened to me was in the late 70’s.
I was doing ministry with youth in Miami but had a Sunday off with no plans to be with people.
It was a rare time in my family’s house too, since no brothers or sisters or mom were around.
The Miami Dolphins were in a playoff game and I was happy to have some time to watch-uninterrupted.
The game got under way and the phone rang. {Back in the day when all you had was a house line}.
I hesitated to answer but just did not know who might be calling—so I did. Big mistake on my part.
At least, that was the way I looked at it.
It was one of the fringe students I worked with and he needed to talk to me…….right now.
I still remember being torn—the TV was on mute and I was trying to listen to him but…
--you know where I was focused, right?
I can clearly remember the convicting work of the Holy Spirit.
I turned the TV off and listened for I cannot remember how long.
I would like to say that call changed this student’s life and he is now an evangelist or something like that.
That did not happen to him. {Although he is still walking with the Lord}.
What I do remember about that incident is what happened to me.
I realized there are times in life when we are given opportunities to pursue two different things:
One is what we want to do or what we have planned.
The other is seeing interruptions as potential ministry opportunities.
I am NOT trying to imply that every interruption is valid.
What I AM saying is that often God gives us opportunities when we do not expect them.
I was especially mindful of this as I thought of Peter in Acts 10.
At noon, one day—Peter goes to the rooftop of a house to pray.
He gets hungry and has a dream about eating all manner of unlawful foods.
If you recall the story, this was God’s way of preparing Peter for some servants:
who would interrupt not only his life but the entire course of the gospel.
The servants are sent by a Roman leader who has had a vision from God to send the men to Peter.
They come—tell their story—and Peter’s life and reputation are interrupted.
These are Gentiles—don’t you know—and the Jews have nothing to do with Gentiles.
Peter could have balked and said: “I am not doing this.”
Peter could have spoken of ‘other plans’ and other things he was going to do.
Instead—he saw the interruption for what it was--a ministry opportunity from God.
Peter goes to the house of Cornelius who has gathered his family and friends.
{Think about the risk Cornelius was taking at this time as well}.
But when Peter gets to the house—he asks Cornelius the reason why he was summoned.
The answer Cornelius gives is one of those ‘proof positives’ that God is at work here.
In v. 33, he says:
“Now then, we are all here present before God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.”
Peter spoke—the Spirit falls—and Gentiles become a part of God’s family.
How many times does God interrupt your thinking with someone’s name who needs ministry?
How many times does God want to take you from YOUR plans to do HIS plans?
Certainly, every interruption is not a ministry opportunity.
But look and listen when God interrupts for how we can do ministry to others in His name.