You have heard the saying, “Man plans, and God laughs!” Most of us have a full agenda and when anything interrupts our plans, we are disappointed and even angry. That frustration can ruin our attitude and rob us of our peace. The fact is, life is full of interruptions. When we chart our course and some obstacle gets in the way, we can either take it and work with what we have or crumble in defeat. On the roadtrip of life, it’s often the interruptions that bring unexpected and amazing opportunities. They may change your destination into one that is far better than the one you had planned. When you surrender your life to Jesus Christ, you accept the best plan there can be for your life’s journey. In Jeremiah God says, HE knows the plans he has for you, plans to prosper you, and give you hope and a future. If God has a plan for your life, isn’t that the one you want? Keep in mind that the interruptions in your life may be God’s invitation to something bigger and greater than you had mapped out.

Scripture Verses – In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. (Lk 1:26-27) The angel greeted Mary and said, “You are truly blessed! The Lord is with you.” Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. (Lk 1:28-29) The angel told her, “Don’t be afraid, Mary. You have found favor with God.” (Lk 1:30) “You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” (Lk 1:31-33) The Lord says, “My thoughts are not like yours. Your ways are not like mine. Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways, and my thoughts are higher than your thoughts.” (Is 55:8-9) “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Je 29:11) Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” (Lk 1:34) The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.” (Lk 1:35) Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And the angel left her. (Lk 1:38)

Thought – Mary was engaged to be married to Joseph. As a very young women (probably 14 or 15) on the threshold of a new married life, she was most likely planning her wedding and celebration, thinking of where they’d live and how many children they would have. The world was her oyster. But in a moment of time, her plans came to a screeching halt when she was visited by the angel Gabriel. His news interrupted everything! She was chosen to be the mother of the Messiah. She would become pregnant and give birth to a son. Her world was turned upside down! An unmarried virgin and pregnant…who would believe this story? How could she explain it to her fiancé? However, Mary recognized this interruption as God’s invitation to a greater plan. She submitted and accepted His plan for her, and God used her to bring hope into the world. Our salvation was born through a common teenage girl who surrendered to God’s plan for her life. On your life’s roadtrip, be open to the invitations God sets before you and believe that He can and will make it happen, even if it seems impossible.

Questions – How do you handle interruptions to your plans? When have you allowed an interruption to derail you? When have you seen an interruption turn out to be God’s invitation to something greater? 

Response – The next time your plans are interrupted, consider how God may be using it as an invitation to something greater. Journal about an interruption that caused a good outcome, better than planned.

Prayer – Gracious God of the impossible, thank you for your unfathomable grace, mercy, and love. The blessed  interruption in my life, changed my course and put me on the path to heaven. I thank you for inviting me to be your child. Help me to always be willing to take the road you place before me. In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.