What does it mean to “make space for God’s interruptions” in a practical sense? Specifically, I’m interested in how this concept translates to daily life. Does it mean intentionally leaving time unscheduled, or is it more about cultivating a certain mindset? How does one distinguish between a genuine “God interruption” and, say, simply being disorganized or easily distracted? Can you provide examples of what making space for God’s interruptions might look like in various situations – in your work, your relationships, or even just your personal time? And how can you prepare your heart and mind to be receptive to these interruptions so that you don’t miss them when they occur?
Answer
Making space for God’s interruptions means intentionally structuring your life, thoughts, and schedule in a way that allows for and welcomes unexpected encounters, opportunities, or redirection that you believe originate from God. It’s an active posture of openness to divine intervention in the mundane and planned aspects of your life.
Here’s a breakdown of what that entails:
1. Recognizing Potential Interruptions:
- Developing Spiritual Discernment: Cultivating the ability to recognize God’s voice or leading amidst the noise of daily life through prayer, scripture study, and fellowship with other believers. This includes being sensitive to promptings, intuitions, or a sense of urgency.
- Challenging Assumptions: Being willing to question your own plans and assumptions about what you "should" be doing, recognizing that God’s plans may differ from your own.
2. Creating Physical and Mental Space:
- Unscheduled Time: Deliberately leaving gaps in your schedule to allow for flexibility and responsiveness to unforeseen opportunities. This could mean not over-committing yourself, or intentionally setting aside time for spontaneous acts of service.
- Mindfulness and Stillness: Practicing habits of silence and reflection to quiet the inner chatter and create a space for God’s voice to be heard. This can involve meditation, prayer, journaling, or spending time in nature.
3. Adjusting Priorities and Plans:
- Willingness to Pivot: Being prepared to adjust your plans or priorities when you sense a divine interruption, even if it’s inconvenient or uncomfortable. This requires a level of trust that God’s plan is ultimately better than your own.
- Detachment from Outcomes: Releasing attachment to specific outcomes or expectations, trusting that God is working even when things don’t go as planned.
4. Embracing Uncertainty:
- Trust in God’s Providence: Acknowledging that God is sovereign and in control, even when life feels unpredictable. This involves trusting that God will provide guidance and resources even in the midst of unforeseen circumstances.
- Stepping Out in Faith: Being willing to take risks and step outside of your comfort zone when you believe God is calling you to do something new or different.
5. Examples of Interruptions:
- A chance encounter with someone in need: Offering help, a listening ear, or sharing your faith.
- An unexpected opportunity for service: Volunteering your time or skills to a cause you believe in.
- A change in plans that leads to a deeper connection with God or others: A cancelled meeting that allows for unexpected prayer time or a meaningful conversation.
- A realization or conviction that changes your perspective or direction: A sudden understanding of a biblical passage that leads to a shift in your behavior.
In essence, making space for God’s interruptions is about living with a posture of expectancy and obedience, trusting that God wants to actively participate in your life and guide you towards His purposes.
Pray This Prayer
Heavenly Father,
I come before you today, wrestling with the idea of surrender. I understand in my head that you are sovereign, that your plans are greater than mine, but my heart often clings to control. Teach me, Lord, what it truly means to make space for your interruptions.
Help me to loosen my grip on my carefully constructed schedules and ambitions. Show me how to recognize your gentle nudge, your unexpected prompting, even when it disrupts my perceived path. Give me the discernment to see your hand at work in the detours and delays, the unplanned encounters and surprising opportunities.
What does it mean to make space for your interruptions? Does it mean silencing my own anxieties and listening for your still, small voice? Does it mean being open to changing direction, even when it feels uncomfortable or uncertain? Does it mean trusting that your timing is perfect, even when it differs from my own expectations?
Grant me the courage to embrace the unexpected, to lean into the discomfort of uncertainty, and to trust that your interruptions are not disruptions, but rather divine redirections leading me to a greater purpose. Help me to see that making space for your interruptions is ultimately making space for your blessings, for your wisdom, and for a deeper connection with you.
Thank you for your unwavering presence in my life, for your guidance, and for your persistent love. May I be a vessel open to your will, ready to embrace whatever you have in store for me.
In your holy name I pray, Amen.
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