Change of plans

June 19, 2006

By Gary Rogers

Most of us don’t like interruptions. You have a plan, a schedule and a specific objective in mind. You’re focused, driven and know what you want to accomplish. You have time allotments for everything so that all can be completed. Then something happens that messes everything up.

It may be a phone call from someone you’ve not seen for years. It may be a neighbor dropping by unannounced. It may be a stranger in a talkative mood who stops you while walking towards your next appointment. It may be your kids, grandkids, spouse, parents or friend. They come out of nowhere with no warning, demanding your time and focus.

Such interruptions raise important questions. How vital is that schedule? By comparison, how important are the people in your life? Could it be that God is changing your schedule? How can God lead you if you don’t leave yourself open to His changing your plans? Is it possible that you can get so set in what you want to accomplish that you leave no room for God to direct your life?

When we read the Gospels we discover Jesus had multiple interruptions. Jesus would be teaching and some man with a demon would begin to cry out. Jesus would be trying to get some rest and people would find Him and bring a crowd of sick people for Him to heal. Jesus would find a private place to pray and be interrupted by one of the disciples saying, “Everyone is looking for You.”

Jesus, while traveling, had lepers yell at Him for a miracle, a man stop Him and persuade Him to visit his house, and a lady work her way through a huge crowd to touch Him and gain a healing for herself.

Could it be that interruptions are divine appointments? If Jesus had an inflexible schedule, many healings would not have been received, many miracles would have not happened, some of the best teaching would not have been given, and God’s purposes would have not been completed. I have learned that some of the most exciting times in my life, and some of the most productive accomplishments for God’s kingdom, have happened outside my planning.

Gary Rogers is senior pastor of First Assembly of God in Coweta, Okla.