Divine Appointments

Well, would you look at that, friend? Here you come steppin’ right on up here on this here ol’ front porch. Now, you gotta let me tell you, too, I was standing in my kitchen the other mornin’ watchin’ a lil’ ol’ squirrel outside my window behavin’ like it had just been elected the mayor of the backyard. That little thing strutted across the fence like it owned the place, and right then it hit me. I’m not much different from that ol’ critter. I like to run my life with the confidence of an ol’ rooster that crows before the sun even thinks about risin’. Truth is, I’m a real control freak and not the polite kind either. I’m talkin’ about the kind that wants every moment lined up like jars at the county fair. I tell myself it’s discipline, but deep down inside I know I’m huntin’ for security in somethin’ other than God. And, that there’s not really discipline. That there’s a kind of idolatry that’s wearin’ a real fancy coat.

Proverbs 19:21, says, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” And Psalm 37:23 reminds us, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord.” That there means even the steps we didn’t plan. Even the ones that feel like a lil’ ol’ raccoon that came wanderin’ into the pantry and rearrangin’ everything in sight.

If you’re a fellow control lover, then you know interruptions feel like a silly possum that plops itself right in your path and dares you to even try to argue with him. They plum mess up your plans. They sho’-nuff’ annoy you. They plainly make you want to reclaim your kingdom and restore order right away.

But Jesus never treated interruptions like intrusions. In Matthew 14 when He heard about John the Baptist’s death, He sought solitude. He got in a boat to find quiet. But when He reached the shore, a big ol’ crowd was waiting for Him. Thousands of ‘em. Most of us would’ve turned that boat around faster than a turkey gobbler workin’ hard at dodgin’ Thanksgiving. But Jesus felt real compassion. Not irritation. Compassion.

While I’d be real busy tryin’ to tape and glue all my plans back together, Jesus was scanning the shoreline for someone to love. What frustrates us stirs compassion in Him. C. S. Lewis once said, “Interruptions are actually the real life God sends us day by day.” And, friend, he was right. Interruptions aren’t obstacles to real life. They are actually real life. They plum remind us that we’re just not in control because God is the One who is in control.

Lord, help me loosen my grip on control. Teach me to welcome interruptions as Your divine appointments. Give me a heart like Jesus, full of compassion instead of frustration. Order my steps and steady my spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen..

Well, mercy me, friend, as you step off this porch and wander on back into the wide world of your day, remember that life will toss surprises at you the way a frisky lil’ ol’ goat that sneaks into the garden tosses lettuce leaves everywhere, but God’s purpose doesn’t budge even an inch. Interruptions may shake and ruin your plans like a curious deer that noses around your campsite, yet they’ll never rattle His Sovereignty or His steady hand. Let every unexpected moment remind you that you’re bein’ led by the One who never fumbles, never frets, and never loses track of where He’s takin’ you. And when your carefully crafted plans crumble like cornbread that slipped off the plate, you can rest easy knowing His plan is still standing firm, faithful, and right on time, and the best part is that His plan is a whole lot better than your plan ever was.

With joy,

Gwen