Divine Detours

"Just get over it."

Ever been told that?

Those words were recently spoken to a friend by a family member while they were walking through deep trauma. Another friend shared how hurtful it felt to hear, "Maybe you'd better just take some time away and get yourself together."

I understand both sides.

At some point, healing does require us to move forward from the trauma we've experienced. We cannot stay stuck forever. There are times when counseling, support groups, trusted friends, and intentional steps toward healing are exactly what someone needs.

But what if the interruption was something we were supposed to pay attention to? What if the disruption wasn't keeping us from our purpose but leading us into it? Moreover, what if it was our assignment and we dismissed it because it was too disruptive to our own plans?

It makes me think about Jesus and the interruptions He encountered.

In Matthew 20:29-34, Jesus and His disciples were leaving Jericho. They had somewhere to go. There was a destination ahead and a crowd surrounding them. Then two blind men sitting by the roadside began shouting, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!"

The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet.

The interruption was inconvenient.

The interruption delayed the journey.

The interruption didn't fit the agenda.

But Jesus stopped.

While everyone else saw a distraction, Jesus saw people. He called the men to Him, listened to them, had compassion on them, and restored their sight. What others wanted to silence, Jesus stopped to hear.

I wonder how many ministry opportunities are hidden in the interruptions of our own lives.

The unexpected phone call.

The grieving coworker.

The hurting friend.

The neighbor who needs a listening ear.

Or perhaps it's the person who tells the same story over and over again. The one who catches you on your way out the door. The one who seems to miss every social cue. The one whose loneliness is revealed through their repetition.

If we're honest, sometimes our "churchiness" can get in the way. We become focused on the service, the meeting, the schedule, the next event, or the conversation waiting for us. We may see people as interruptions to our ministry when, in reality, they are the ministry.

Jesus never seemed bothered by people who interrupted His plans. In fact, some of His greatest moments of compassion happened in those interruptions.

What if the person we've heard a hundred times is really asking to be seen?

What if their repeated story is a cry for connection?

What if the interruption is an invitation?

Perhaps that person needs professional counseling. Perhaps they need resources or support beyond what we can provide on our own. But perhaps they also need you. Perhaps they need someone willing to slow down, listen, care, and remind them that they matter.

Before we tell someone to "just get over it," let's remember that healing doesn't happen on our timetable. Sometimes the most Christlike thing we can do is simply stop and listen.

After all, the miracle in Jericho happened because Jesus stopped.

Perhaps not every interruption is a distraction.

Perhaps some interruptions are divine appointments.

And perhaps the very thing we wish would stop interrupting our plans is the ministry opportunity God has placed right in front of us.

People were never an interruption to Jesus' ministry. People were His ministry.

 Sandy