The past few days we have been at our first debrief in Vine del Mar, Chile. All 48 of us have spent time together processing what God has done this past month and how we want to grow next month. While this was a time of rest and reflection, we also took the time to prayerfully listen to the Holy Spirit and be obedient to what He called us to do in this city. Our last day we gathered together to go on a treasure hunt! In this context a treasure hunt consisted of us forming small groups to pray for God to show us what to do with our time in this city. Then we would share what we believed God was telling us…sometimes it would be a specific location or picture and others a color or sense of direction. Once we shared in our groups what we felt God tell us, we would head out in the city and be on the lookout for what He revealed to us. The treasure is hearing and being obedient to God’s voice.
This process seems crazy to me and incredibly far out of my comfort zone because it calls me to speak up and provides the possibility of failure. However, I was expectant for God to show up in BIG and EXCITING ways! Before we left we heard testimonies of God opening the eyes of the blind, healing people of all sorts of pain, encouraging people at pivotal moments in their life and so on. Needless to say, that inspired me to have big expectations for what God was going to do during this time. So here we go!
We walk out of the hostel in search of an archway with light, ocean, floppy fish, and the phrase on our minds was “our obedience will show His faithfulness.” An hour and a half later we are still walking around the city wondering what God is asking of us. Honestly, I was a bit frustrated that I have heard how God clearly speaks to others and here I am listening to silence. Time is quickly running out and the pressure is on to at least reach out to someone. Then we look around and notice we are at a harbor, the pungent smell of fish surrounding us, and a beautiful archway overhead. Excitement and expectation again begin to stir inside me. Now the question is, “LORD, who do you want us to speak to?” At this point we have 5 minutes before we need to head back to the hostel. We see a man sitting on a bench staring blankly out into the ocean. Doubt quickly clogs my mind but somehow, we end up walking over to him and start a conversation as best we can. We offer to pray for him and he slowly smiles responding yes. We pray for him and his family and then head back to the hostel. On the bus ride back, we reflected how we were so focused on the destination that we didn’t take the time to see others around us on the journey. Back at the hostel a few people shared their testimonies and feelings of inadequacy creep in. However, the verse Zechariah 4:10 popped into my mind, “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line of Zerubbabel’s hand.” I felt God encourage me that even though we didn’t witness a crazy miracle, the process of fully trusting God to use us has begun and He is at work in mighty ways that may not be clearly revealed to us when we want. God was reminding me that His purpose will prevail and even though our treasure hunt seemed small, He is at work and the act of obedience is beautiful in itself. He is willing to use me for His glory!
As we are reflecting on how God moved and our experiences Jeremy (our squad mentor) simply asks us, “Are you willing to be interrupted?” Hmm. Well yes, I mean I’m giving God 11 months away from my friends, family, job, goals, everything. Yet this question kept replaying in my mind. Jeremy challenged us to question if we will continue to say yes even when we don’t see what we want or expect to happen when we walk in obedience. Umm whoa…this was a wake-up call to how I was trying to put God in a box. Even though I was expecting God to perform a miracle and use us in a crazy way for His glory, at the same time I was struggling to see how He was moving in me by just being obedient to speak what I felt Him say to me, walk around the city, and ask to pray for someone. So, “am I willing to be interrupted? Are people worth feeling uncomfortable for?” Without a doubt YES!
Jesus always had time for interruptions. Even for one person on His great mission, which is seen in the verses below:
- When speaking to a crowd, Luke 5:17-19
- When asleep, Luke 8:22-24
- When on his way to perform a healing, Luke 8:43
- When talking with his disciples, Luke 12:11-21
- When praying, Mark 1:35-39
- When traveling, Mark 10:46-52
Never is Jesus ‘thrown or caught off guard’. He doesn’t even lose His temper or seem irritated by these interruptions. He uses each occasion as an opportunity for some priceless teaching or wonderful miracle.
God sends certain interruptions into our lives to catch our attention. He knows that we have schedules to keep and work to do, but He wants us to look at Him. He wants our attention on things that are more important. This is my prayer, that I will begin the process of being willing to be interrupted and focus my attention on Him. I pray to see others the way God does through eyes of love!
I challenge you to ask yourself…” Are you willing to be interrupted? Are people worth being uncomfortable for?” Lord I pray for wisdom to discern what You are saying through the interruptions in our life. I pray that we see people through your eyes of love and that you give us the power and boldness to walk in love. I pray for our hearts to be willing to be interrupted and for our focus to stay on You. In Jesus name, Amen.
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog and investing in this kingdom journey God has called me to. Thank you for all the prayers and words of encouragement I have received! I am truly blessed to have all of your support and love in my life. God bless 🙂
