Disturbing the Comfortable.
Lawrence Temfwe December 25th, 2006
Have you ever imagined the consequences of intrusion by Jesus into the ordinary and free from trouble lifestyle of Joseph and Mary? Because of the interruption in their lives, their first born child was not as a result of sexual union. Joseph and Mary traveled a journey of 70 miles from their home town of Nazareth to the village of Bethlehem because it was prophesied that the baby Jesus would be born there (Micah. 5:2). In order to protect the life of the child Jesus from King Herod they escaped to Egypt where they lived for several years as refugees. God opened the door for the world to receive salvation when Mary and Joseph allowed their own reasonably humble and comfortable life to be disturbed.
The life of Joseph and Mary is a great reminder to Christians that life’s interruptions are often opportunities to do God’s work. Just like Joseph and Mary were interrupted that they would do the work of God to bring the ruler, “who will be the shepherd of my people Israel”, we too must always be ready to allow our own plans to be interrupted by God. This interruption may mean taking the risk of crossing the social boundaries to help someone in need in the prison, in the street (street children or prostitutes), or in the hospital. It may also mean you getting involved in addressing systematic evil.
Has it occurred to you that most of the miracles that Jesus or the apostles performed happened when they were interrupted? Most miracles that are recorded in the bible happened when Jesus or the apostles were on a scheduled journey and someone came and interrupted their plan - the demon-possessed, the blind, the poor, the sick, the lame, the dead and dying - all cried for Jesus’ and the apostles’ attention. When was the last time you were interrupted? Bernard Shaw stated, “The reasonable person adapts himself to the world, the unreasonable man persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man.” And the song writer writes: He left His Father’s throne above (so free so infinite His grace) Emptied himself of all but love, And bled for Adam’s helpless race: ‘Tis mercy all, immense and free, For, O my God, it found me!
God interrupted fellowship with his Son in heaven at Christmas and sent Him to earth to reconcile you and me to Himself and as a result the world has been turning upside right ever since. Did this Christmas provide an opportunity for you to share His love with someone in need? In the New Year, may you turn every interruption into an opportunity to serve God and his people!
