The interrupted life

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. (Ephesians 5:15–17)

“Good morning, God. Help me to center myself on you today, to keep my eyes…” 

Scratch, scratch, scratch came the persistent sound of the cat at my sunroom door, whining at me to let him in. I paused my prayer, got up from my seat, let him in, and then sat back down.

“Lord, help me to serve you today, to listen to you and obey you…”

Thump, thump, thump came the sound of the dogs on the stairs as they made a run for the sunroom door and looked eagerly back at me. I paused again, stood up, let them out, and sat back down.

“Lord, help me to not give in to distractions today, but to focus on you…”

Was someone calling my name? I got up, walked into the family room, and listened closely. Yes, there it was – my son, calling my name. I went upstairs to see what he needed, and then came back downstairs to my chair to pray.

“Now, where was I, Lord?”

I’m sure that if I woke up at 4 AM like the mystics of old, I might be able to avoid the steady stream of interruptions. But these days, my wife and are barely able to finish what we need to get done before midnight, which makes it hard to get up before the dawn. The truth is, life is full of interruptions and distractions, and when you’re trying to stay centered on God and spend time with Him, the unwanted intrusions can get pretty irritating.

I think this is why my spirit shouted “AMEN!” when I read this passage today in John Mark Comer’s excellent book “Practicing the Way”:

“Children can be like monastic bells, reminding you that your time is not your own. Every childlike interruption to your [day] can function as an invitation to surrender control and become a person of self-giving love.”

How I needed to hear those perspective-shifting words: “your time is not your own… surrender control… become a person of self-giving love.” Comer is right – every person, creature, or incident that interrupts MY plans can either irritate me and make me more of an angry, bitter person, or it can serve as a reminder that I am NOT in control, that my life does not belong to me, and that devotion to God is not simply about uninterrupted times of prayer but is also about tending to the needs of those God has put in my life.

Control is an illusion. Our lives are not our own, and we are not the Lord of our lives and the lives of those around us. Seek the Lord, yes, but do not allow the interruptions to make you bitter and angry. Trust that God is at work, and surrender to His sovereign care over you.