Interruptions: A 40-Day Journey with Jesus

By Jacob Armstrong

Life is full of interruptions. You have a flat tire on the way to work. Your phone buzzes, signaling yet another text or e-mail. Or a major interruption blindsides you—the death of a loved one, a job loss, a family member in crisis, or a shattering diagnosis. Where is God in all these situations?

Interruptions: A 40-Day Journey with Jesus provides a chance for you to set aside your stress for a bit and refocus on God. Jacob Armstrong looks at the life of Jesus and gives insights on how you might respond to all the interruptions in your life. The scripture-based meditations guide you to think about interruptions from various angles:

• Interruption as an opportunity
• Living in a culture of interruptions
• Jesus' response to interruptions
• Jesus as an interrupter

Armstrong weaves together biblical and contemporary stories in these short, effective devotions. His book will encourage you and remind you that God wants to meet you in all the interruptions of your life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Upper Room Books
• Release date: Aug 1, 2014
• ISBN: 9780835813495

Jacob Armstrong

Jacob Armstrong is the founding pastor of Providence Church in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. Providence's vision is to see those who are disconnected from God and the church to find hope, healing, and wholeness in Jesus Christ. Jacob is the author of Renovate, A New Playlist, Treasure, The God Story, Upside Down, Loving Large, Interruptions, and The New Adapters.

Book preview

Interruption as Opportunity

DAYS 1–6

Mark 5:21-34

When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered around him; and he was by the sea. Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, when he saw him, fell at his feet and begged him repeatedly, My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live. So he went with him.

And a large crowd followed him and pressed in on him. Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, for she said, If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well. Immediately her hemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, Who touched my clothes? And his disciples said to him, You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, ‘Who touched me?’ He looked all around to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. He said to her, Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.

DAY 1

Mark 5:21-22

When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered around him; and he was by the sea. Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, when he saw him, fell at his feet.…

Interruptions tend to frustrate, cause delays, and get us off track. Studies conducted by businesses to measure productivity find that interruptions are one of the leading causes of lessened efficiency and effectiveness of workers.

The word interrupt is defined as breaking in. Who likes to be broken? Who likes to be disrupted? Who welcomes delay? No one likes his or her work or sleep or routine or phone call to be interrupted. We say, Don’t interrupt me. We put up Do Not Disturb signs. Yet, we live in a world full of interruptions. Rarely do things go as planned.

What would happen if we begin to look at interruptions differently? What if we begin to look at interruptions as opportunities?

We can assume that Jesus has a plan for what he will do when he gets off the boat that day. But as soon as he steps on the shore, a man falls at his feet. People crowd around Jesus, but Jairus’s desperate plea gets Jesus’ attention. It forces Jesus to take notice when this reputable, well-known religious leader throws himself on the ground.

This interruption becomes an opportunity for Jesus to share the power of God with not only Jairus but also the whole town. It becomes an opportunity for healing and transformation. But initially, it’s just another interruption in the midst of a busy day.

We will follow Jesus through his day full of interruptions—Jesus’ encounter with Jairus is only the first interruption of the day. We will watch Jesus closely for his reaction. How does it differ from the way we normally react to the unexpected?

Today will hold interruptions. We can count on it. Let’s ask God to give us eyes to see these interruptions as opportunities the way Jesus did. The diversion could be an opportunity to stop and be present with someone else. The unwelcome intrusion might be an opening to experience life rather than rush through it. The interruption may be a chance to hear from God.

PRAYER: God, remind us today that you are present with us. When we are interrupted, help us to see how you are working and how you might use us to show your love and light. Amen.

DAY 2

Mark 5:22-24

Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, when he saw [Jesus], fell at his feet and begged him repeatedly, My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live. So he went with him.

What if interruptions are opportunities?

Jesus is attracting big crowds. People can’t get enough of this amazing man. He is saying and doing unbelievable things—healing the sick, giving sight to the blind, helping the lame walk again. On this particular day, Jesus gets out of a boat and is immediately surrounded by a multitude of people. Running out of the crowd is a well-known man. Everyone sees him, and everyone knows him. Jairus works in the synagogue as a teacher and leader. But Jairus is not approaching Jesus to teach or lead; Jairus is coming for help. My little daughter is at the point of death, he says. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live.

Jairus’s life has been interrupted with the unthinkable—his young daughter is dying. What father wouldn’t come and ask for help if there were a chance that his daughter could be saved?

Once in a church meeting, I received a text that my daughter Lydia was being rushed to the hospital. She had collapsed on the floor in our home and was writhing in pain. My wife had taken her to the doctor, and they were on their way to the nearest hospital. Nothing could have kept me in that meeting. In that moment, there was no time for explanations or even apologies for my abrupt exit. I just left. As I rushed to the hospital, I could think only of the safety and health of my daughter. This is an example of an interruption that can shake us to our cores; this type of interruption changes not only the course of our days but also our entire lives.

Jairus will stop at nothing to get the Jesus’ attention. Instead of waiting his turn, Jairus runs to Jesus to make his plea. Jairus interrupts Jesus because his own life has been interrupted.

The scripture simply tells us, So [Jesus] went with him. No longer is Jairus alone with the news of his daughter’s failing health. Jesus accompanies Jairus in carrying the weight of this burden.

As my wife and I journeyed with Lydia through the diagnosis and treatment of her illness, we also did not make the journey alone. We sensed Jesus walking with us through visits from friends, through prayer,