Mom escapes to the bathroom and closes the door, just for a few minutes, to enjoy some peace and quiet. The kids will be okay and their noise is now muffled enough that it’s in the background on the other side of the house. Suddenly, a scream. And pounding on the door, “Mom!!! Tell Bailey to give back my controller!”
Dad gets a call from the coach. “We’re moving your son from quarterback to defensive safety.” Feelings of fear and anger erupt with his disagreement. He argues his (son’s) case, but the coach explains and insists. He’s ready to find another team.
The church volunteer coordinator calls, “Can you help this Sunday?” You’ve already served your fair share of Sundays. You’ve seen all the other people at church who really need to start stepping up. Your first thought is, “Seriously? Please just leave me alone. Ask someone else.”
When are you least likely to appreciate being disturbed? What moments do you most protect from others interfering? How have you responded lately to unexpected changes to your plans?
It may actually be Jesus. He loves to get in the way. He loves to disturb and interfere and mess with you. Not to be mean, either.
So, when are you least likely to appreciate being disturbed? Think of that moment, then imagine getting a phone call in that moment and the caller ID says, “Free Amazon for Life.” Curious, you answer. It’s not a hoax. You’ve just won free Amazon Prime shopping for life. Woo hoo!
What happened to you not wanting to be disturbed? Oh, well, it’s okay if it’s Free Amazon but just not your kids, or the coach, or the doctor, or ….
See, it all depends on the benefits brought by the person or thing interfering. We’re all “disturbable”—for the right benefits.
Jesus once interfered with a man, and he didn’t appreciate it. “When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, ‘What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God’” (Luke 8:28)?
It’s an interesting figure of speech in the original Greek language of the New Testament. “What do you want with me?” literally means “what to me and to you?” Other ways of saying it could be: “It’s none of your business” or “Stay out of my way” or “Why are you interfering?”
Well, here’s why. Jesus showed up to perform a miracle in the man’s life. He cast out a bunch of evil spirits who had been tormenting the man. That’s beneficial!
When Jesus gets in your way, it’s a good thing! Learn to recognize it, and embrace it.
PRAYER: Get in my way, Jesus. Interrupt me and interfere with my life. I need more of you and less of me. I know I’ve resisted this before, but now I’m more ready, and I’m working on it. I want to trust your way more than my way. Amen.
DIG DEEPER: Read the whole story in Luke 8:26-39. Meditate on Jesus getting in your way right now, in your life. What’s happening and where is Jesus in it?