Are You Interruptible?

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Galatians 6:10 (NIV)

In John 21, Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him. Each time, Peter said he did, and Jesus replied, “Feed My lambs,” “Shepherd (tend) My sheep,” and “Feed My sheep” (vv. 15, 16, 17). I believe what He was really saying was “If you love Me, help someone.”

Jesus was frequently going somewhere, just as we are. I am sure He was busy, but never too busy to stop for people who were hurting. We are encouraged to study the steps of Jesus, but today I encourage you to study the stops of Jesus. Don’t let your plan be so important that you won’t stop to help someone in need.

There are many things we can do for people, even if we don’t know them, if we will just listen and be willing to act if God prompts us. One time I was waiting in a doctor’s office and an elderly man was sitting near me. I had taken my Bible and planned to read and pray in the waiting room, and this man was preventing me from being spiritual like I wanted to be. I felt a bit irritated with him when suddenly God whispered in my heart, “If this man were Billy Graham, would you listen to him?”

I knew immediately what God was saying to me. I didn’t want to listen to the man in the doctor’s office because there was nothing in it for me, but had he been Billy Graham or some other person I deemed “important,” I would have listened and then told everyone about the important person I spoke with that day. The elderly man wasn’t important to me, but he was important to God, as is every single person on earth. If we want to work with and for God, this is one of the first lessons we need to learn.

I’m happy to say that if the same situation occurred today, I would listen to the man, but at the time I was too selfish to do so. I am very grateful for the miracle of change that God works in our lives.

Proverbs 16:9 says that people plan their course, but God establishes their steps. It is good to have a plan because without one, we usually just waste our time. But our plan should always be secondary to God’s plan for us. Tell the Lord that you are willing for Him to interrupt you anytime He wants to and that you will lay aside your plan and follow His.

Adapted from the book What About Me? by Joyce Meyer. Copyright 2024 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved.

Let’s Pray: “God, I don’t want to miss the daily opportunities You give me to love and serve others around me. Give me the wisdom to listen to Your voice and the willingness to do what You ask me to do. I truly want to focus on making other people happy, and the best way to learn how is to follow Your lead. Amen.”

Family Activity: Spot every opportunity! Have you ever done a “hidden picture” activity page where you search for hidden items (like a horseshoe or paperclip) within a larger picture? They can really help you focus on the finer details in the picture! Try to bring that same focus to the world around you. See where you can spot real needs hidden in plain sight, and then respond as the Spirit moves you! See how many found needs you can meet this week.