Interrupted

 

(picture from ar.inspiredpencil .com)

When our hearing gets interrupted… by the voice of the holy God.

I’ll be the first to admit it, I’m often listening to what’s going on in my own head more than to what’s going on around me.

I hear the voice of God when He speaks to me.

Sometimes.

The voice of God, as well as the voices of the people around me often fades away as I contemplate my own thoughts. I’m guessing that might be true for a lot of us. Talk to me while I’m reading a book? Don’t expect me to respond. I can get lost in what I’m reading. Sometimes I’m focusing hard to understand what I’m reading, sometimes I’m imagining the scenes unfolding around me as I delve into a story.

There are many times I don’t seem focused at all; times I seem to tune out and disconnect from the world around me. That might be normal too, in a world where there are so many distractions thrown at us from every direction. Maybe that’s why I love hiking through the mountains, it’s easier to disconnect from the world out there. Do I bring my phone? Of course! I have to take pictures of the beauty that surrounds me! Or do I? Sometimes God interrupts my glee with a whisper suggesting that maybe I don’t take a picture of that flower or mountain view or creek bed – that He made it just for me to enjoy, not to share. Sometimes I think He creates certain flowers just for me. I can almost feel His hug as I bask in His beauty, like it’s just the two of us and the rest of the world spins on without us.

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I believe God is always communicating with us, whether through nature, His written Word, a voice we “feel” or even in an audible voice. He speaks to us through the people around us, He speaks to us through circumstances, He talks to us through the stories we find in history. He speaks through science. He shouts through the arts. Honestly, I don’t think there’s anything He can’t use to speak through. As He relates to us, He’s always seeking to draw us closer to Himself, where He can protect us and keep us safe and love on us more intimately.

Sometimes, whether we’re listening or not, He interrupts us.

Have you ever been working diligently at something, then absent-mindedly looked up from what you were focused on to gasp in wonder at the sight of something (or someone) beautiful?

Have you ever been worried or concerned about a situation, only to discover the solution was within you the whole time?

(picture from peopleimages .com)

Have you ever been so staunchly convinced that your viewpoint was correct, then suddenly realized that you were looking at it wrong, that your perspective was off, all without anyone needing to persuade you?

Have you ever been sincerely praying for someone from the depths of your heart, then furrowed your brows, almost in confusion as you began to pray in a different direction?

God’s interruptions can be gentle or abrupt. He will surprise us, maybe taking us in a new direction, and He will confirm things for us – sometimes all in the same breath.

The only lenses we can see through are the ones we’ve seen through in the past, until we’re interrupted with a new lens.

This is one of the many exciting benefits of having the God of the Universe living within us!

And yes, He interrupts those who don’t know Him yet, too. His interruptions will captivate our hearts and on some (maybe unknown) level, we’ll feel His love quieting our hearts and healing our wounds and guiding and directing us through His perfect peace.

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“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord.” 

– Isaiah 55:8 (NKJV)

His thoughts are not ours – but He’ll share them with us! Hallelujah!

Tell me about some of your divine interruptions. Where has God turned you around – or simply surprised you?