It’s easy and common to set up routines day in and day out. We get so used to the regular patterns of our lives that we begin to protect them at all costs. Instead of approaching the day open and ready for all that God may have for us, we approach the day fixed and focused on accomplishing precisely what we want, when we want it, and how we want it. This can lead to devastating consequences.
One serious consequence is missing out on exactly what God has for you at the moment, with the person right in front of you. While many want to discuss the homeless man as a political liability, he is a man, created in the image of God! If we view him, and others like him, as an interruption rather than a Divine appointment, we do so at our own spiritual risk.
Another sad consequence is missing out in our relationships with others. We can be so focused on getting our point across or being “right” that we fail to see when God tries to use another person to speak into our lives. It could be a spouse, a child, a friend, or even a stranger. But if we’re not careful, we can quickly write them off as an interruption to our plans instead of a divine appointment.
You’ll remember in Acts 3, Peter and John were on their way into the Temple area for the customary time of prayer. The Bible says it was at the hour of prayer’ which was fixed and repetitive. But on this occasion, they met eye to eye with a certain lame man who was at the gate daily. They had undoubtedly seen him day after day and walked right past him. There is a good chance that even Jesus would have seen this same lame man during his time of ministry as He walked by him up to the Temple area to pray. However, this day was a Divine Appointment for Peter and John! This was a day to respond to the Holy Spirit’s prompting.
Acts 3:1–3 (NKJV) “Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms.”
How easy this epic and monumental day could have been dismissed as an undesirable interruption. They were headed up to pray and didn’t have time to stop for the beggar that was there every day. I’m grateful they stopped. So was the lame man!
Acts 3:4–8 (NKJV) “And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God.”
God will often interrupt our daily routine only to be met by our resistance, anger, and frustration. If we are not careful, we will miss the moment! God is ready to move! Pastor Chuck Smith taught us, “Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be broken.” As we are open to the Holy Spirit and His schedule, we are used in unique and wonderfully surprising ways. Rather than being rigid and inflexible, we must learn to be flexible and open to anything the Lord brings our way!
Matthew 12:18-21 (NKJV) “Behold! My Servant whom I have chosen, My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased! I will put My Spirit upon Him, And He will declare justice to the Gentiles. He will not quarrel nor cry out, Nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets. A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench, Till He sends forth justice to victory; And in His name Gentiles will trust.”
Let’s be people who are open to what God has for us. Let’s be willing to see the interruptions in our lives as divine appointments from the God who knows us better than we know ourselves. In these moments, we grow, learn, and become more like Him. Let’s not miss what He has for us today!
