INTERRUPTIONS

Based on 1 Samuel 7-9, Luke 9:18-36

"And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it." Luke 9:23‭-‬24.

Sometimes, the interruptions in our lives are more than just an inconvenience. Usually, we have to be called out of what we are doing in order to do something greater! Sometimes, the interruptions ARE the calling! Coming after Jesus means denying ourselves...we have to be interrupted, losing our original life to gain a better one! And that was the case of Saul seeking his father's lost asses & finding something better!

"And when they were come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant that was with him, Come, and let us return; lest my father leave caring for the asses, and take thought for us. And he said unto him, Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honourable man; all that he saith cometh surely to pass: now let us go thither; peradventure he can shew us our way that we should go." 1 Samuel 9:5‭-‬6.

...And this man they would go see is the prophet Samuel! And Samuel sure did show them the way to go-GOD's way! The better way! This mission was never about the lost donkeys, it was a situation used by God to lead Saul to his great purpose! One day, he would become king!

"Now the Lord had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying, To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me."
1 Samuel 9:15‭-‬16.

In these few chapters of 1 Samuel, the purpose was not yet revealed to Saul. He was just spending time with Samuel first, then Samuel would reveal God's plan for his life. But according to this passage, we know what's coming! Imagine if Saul hadn't listened to his servant? If he had said, "No, I just want to go home. We've been searching for the asses long enough." But instead, he searched a little longer & found so much more! He was willing to let his desire & preference be interrupted by his servant (and that's exactly what God had in mind!).

"For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?" Luke 9:25.

Nothing in this world means more than Jesus! We have to be willing to set those things aside to let Jesus in when He interrupts/calls us! The greatest things are in store from The Lord-this world does not compare!!