Interruptions

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. (Luke 2:8-20 ESV). I am a list maker. Every morning I make a list of things I need to do that day. As I go through the day I mentally scratch things off my list as I accomplish them. Invariably, at day’s end, I am dismayed that only a few items have been scratched. I’ve been busy and worked hard; but things just seem to happen throughout the day that I didn’t plan for. The phone rings. People visit. Various “emergencies” arise during each day. Just the other day I had planned to do some study and finish some things for a Parenting class I am teaching at my church and I received a call from the general contractor of our house telling me I need to go and get the kitchen sink right away. It wouldn’t really seem like much of an interruption at first glance, but it took two hours out of my day I had planned on. As a rule, I don’t like interruptions. They seem to break up my tidy, organized life. But what if interruptions are God’s way of breaking into my life? C.S. Lewis wrote: “We must stop regarding unexpected things as interruptions to real life. The truth is that interruptions are real life, the life God sends us day by day.” What a splendid insight. When our children or grandchildren interrupt us, then, or when someone visits at an untimely moment, we should see those times as God directing us. They should not be a distraction to us. I am not having my agenda ruined; I am having it rearranged. The shepherds were minding their flocks, when suddenly God breaks in. God rearranges their agenda. The angels announce that heaven has come to earth. The Messiah is born. Their response was perfect. They immediately went to see this great sight. What does God have for you today?