Think of some interruptions in your life. You’re about to sit down with a refreshing iced tea in hand and a child calls from outside, “Mommy, sissy got caught in the dog’s leash and I can’t get her out!” You sigh, set your drink down, and walk out to take care of the catastrophe.

You’re writing your final notes to finish a Bible study lesson and the timer goes off on the oven. Phooey!

You’re about to take a walk in the sunshine. You’ve been looking forward to this all day. Then, you suddenly remember you have a dental appointment.

You’re busy at work, trying to finish a report that is due in the next hour, but your co-workers keep a steady flow of very audible conversations that distract you.

Interruptions! Life is full of them.

Sometimes, they are happy interruptions—a call from a long-time friend, an award you weren’t expecting, a kiss on the back of your neck, a helpful hand with a laborious task. But most of the time we think of interruptions in negative terms. 

And then there are those interruptions that teach us a new thing.

We will follow the book of Mark this month and look at the results of interesting interruptions.

John the Baptist tromped out of the desert claiming to be the forerunner of the promised Messiah. He certainly interrupted the people’s mundane lives.

John  came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sin. Mark 1:4

This was new and strange, but insightful and needed, productive as well.

The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. Mark 1:5

We see the results of this interruption caused the people to face their sin and confess it. The key point is that an interruption in our lives may turn us in a new direction.

At one point, Jesus came to John asking to be baptized. John protested because he knew the Promised One stood before him. Who was he to baptize the Messiah? 

God himself interrupts the scene. When Jesus comes up out of the water,

. . . he saw heaven torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” Mark 1:10-11

How this must have warmed the heart of Jesus. He, the Son, felt the presence of the Spirit, and heard the voice of God himself. It was as though God marked His stamp of approval on Jesus. What a powerful affirmation—a glorious interruption .

Perhaps a new way of thinking can turn us in right directions like those who listened to John’s message. Or maybe we will experience affirmation from God in needed areas of our lives. Be ready. Be pliable. Listen with a trusting heart.

~ Joyce ~