Disruptions

Does your life ever feel like it’s full of disruptions? You know… those disturbances or problems that interrupt an event, activity or process. Like an unexpected phone call that keeps you from completing that project on time or catching a virus that puts you in bed for two days and wreaks havoc on your schedule. Disruptions come in all shapes and sizes and seem to be frequent during most days and weeks. This week I am reminded of that each day as I pull into the church parking lot and see how the weather has disrupted our parking lot improvement project. The good news is that with all the rain the geese have some new options for swimming and bathing.

Disruptions happen and will continue to happen but I think they’re good for us. While disruptions can be an inconvenience and require some sacrifice on our part, they can teach us to walk humbly as servants. Jesus was really good at causing some disruptions in the lives of the Pharisees. His mission to reach and save the lost constantly interrupted the religious ways of the Pharisees and revealed their selfish motives. I truly believe that disruptions have the power to shape our character and make us more like Christ. The challenge for each of us is to choose how we are going to react to the various disruptions in our lives. Our goal is to reflect Christ through any inconvenience or interruption, even when it’s hard.

The Bible is full of words like “be still and know that I am God” that remind us to focus and depend on God and He will walk us through any disruption. What’s really beautiful is that He can shape us to be more like Christ through the disruption. We don’t have to look back at any disruption and only say, “I got through it.” Rather, we can look back and say “God walked me through it and I am more like Jesus because of it.” That takes any so-called disruption and makes it an opportunity to worship God. Unplanned, unpleasant, and uncomfortable disruptions can lead us, as Christ followers, to be more dependent on Him. As you pull in the church parking lot this week be reminded that disruptions will happen but it’s OK because God desires to walk us through them and gives us the assurance and confidence we need. Remember, we can’t prevent disruptions in our personal lives, or in our life as the body of Christ, but we can glorify Christ and model to this lost and lonely world what it means to follow and live for God amid the disruptions.

Don’t forget that we will worship in one service this Sunday at 10:00 am as we celebrate baptism and communion. Looking forward to worshiping with you!

Praying with you and for you,

Pastor Dan