Oct 30 2008
God’s Timetable
Have you ever noticed that when you’re right in the middle of something very important the phone rings? For me it is usually somebody who can’t pronounce my name and they want me to give to some worthy cause. It just drives me nuts!
Well here I was trying to record this September radio spot, trying to concentrate, when the phone rang. Before I could even begin to get upset, I heard my precious wife’s voice on the other end of the line. My wife, Dr. Mickie Mathes, was calling me from the Middle East, where she is currently living. She called to ask me to pass on a message to all of you who listen to Rivers of the World (ROW) radio segments. She is so very grateful for all the prayers, notes, cards, letters and e-mails that have been sent from our radio audience. So many folks have told her they are praying for her and lifting her up to the Lord for a healing touch. She began chemotherapy treatments on Sept. 11.
I want to personally thank all of you for taking the time to express your care and concern for Mickie. May God bless each of you abundantly.
So how do you react when somebody interrupts you while you are doing something important? How do you respond when you are pressed for time and someone bothers you, needing a favor? Let’s read in Luke 9:10-11 and see how Jesus responded to people interrupting Him:
“When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida, but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing.”
The disciples, who were sent by Christ, had just returned from a journey where their mission was to go from town to town preaching the Gospel and healing people everywhere. As they joined back up with Jesus, they all tried to withdraw to a private place but the crowds discovered where Christ was and pursued Him. Did Jesus act like He was bothered by the intrusion? No, instead, He took the opportunity to tell them about His Father and then He extended compassion and healed those needing healing.
The next time you are interrupted, stop a second and ask yourself whether or not the distraction is possibly a divine appointment sent from Jesus. We must strive to live according to God’s timetable and not ours because each day we are given is a gift from the Lord.