Even while we are being good stewards of our time, being interruptible is one of the best ways we can live the inviting life.
Having a new puppy has reminded me pretty blatantly of what it means to be “interruptible,” and I think this character quality is one of the hardest, and most vital, parts of living the inviting life.
Being “interruptible” is having a mindset that says, “yes, my time and goals are important, but kingdom-focused relationships are more important.” Our ability to pause for connecting with others is closely connected to our trust in God and our determination to be people who love Him and love others for His sake.
Trust in God’s sovereign provision
Confidence in our calling as Jesus-followers
Holding a plan - with open hands
Throughout the gospels, there are examples of Jesus Himself being interruptible as He went about His ministry. In the gospel of Mark, chapters 5-6, we see some pretty good examples of how He handled interruptions.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, “We must be ready to allow ourselves to be interrupted by God. God will be constantly crossing our paths and canceling our plans by sending us people with claims and petitions. We may pass them by, preoccupied with our more important tasks…It is a strange fact that Christians and even ministers frequently consider their work so important and urgent that they will allow nothing to disturb them. They think they are doing God a service in this, but actually they are disdaining God’s ‘crooked yet straight path.”
As we go about our days, let’s challenge each other to remember, “The God who is sovereign over our salvation is sovereign also over our schedules, including all the interruptions.” (Source)
Sometimes, interruptions are God’s provision for us for fellowship, mutual growth, and teamwork in Kingdom life!
Make regular time to get away with God!
We need to nourish our bodies and our souls to be prepared to serve others well.
Be fully present.
Don’t check your watch or phone. Make eye contact, and really listen.
Try “active listening;” lean in, ask questions, repeat things you’ve heard, and ask clarifying or further leading questions.
Make the conversation about them, not you… and then if the opportunity is there, point the conversation back to truths about God!
Be bold and intentional: Ask if you can join each other in prayer or offer to pray for the person if the timing is right - this takes the conversation to the One who can interact effectively! But even if not, be praying “without ceasing” for God to bring you opportunities, and make you sensitive to them, to be interrupted for the sake of the inviting life.
“What if we learned to experience interruption differently? Rather than viewing all outside interruption as the enemy of productivity and creativity, what if we viewed our lives as communicative vessels for the sake of the other? If we open ourselves to embrace a theology of holy interruption, we may usher in newness, revelation, life, and story to inform our work and craft and life in ways that otherwise would simply not be possible.” (Source)
New here? Listen to Episode 1: A Biblical Case for Hospitality.
Other mentioned episodes: Episode 4: Hard Hospitality | Responding to “Pride” with Humility.
A Grace Filled Beginning: Free Biblically-Based Planning Course
Joseph Tenney: Interruption is God’s Invitation
Scott Hubbard on Desiring God: Plan to Be Interrupted (The above Bonhoeffer quote is mentioned here, also.)
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