Oh boy, does the theme this month resonate with me. I have definitely been interrupted! Have you?
There are all sorts of interruptions. Sometimes interruptions come in the form of an invitation, and that is often the case for me. The short and long of it is that God has invited me and my family to move to another town, to another community, to a new church family. To sell our home. To say goodbye to our routines, our people, our normal, our coffee spots and running routes. To change our relationships, to move out of our comfort zones, to enter a new everything.
And as we’ve said yes to this invitation, He has been so faithful! He has taken us by the hand and showed us the way, but it has not been easy. Is change ever easy?
For us, this interruption has a lot of practical pieces. One is changing where we will live. We sold our house, and we have been hunting for a new one in our new city. It’s a process I normally would find exciting, but I have just been tired. I took a moment to check in with myself, and I saw I was feeling overwhelmed and exhausted! I needed a shot of encouragement, a new perspective. I bet you can relate.
It just so happened that it was recently time for our monthly “Silent Together.” Once a month, a friend of mine hosts a quiet retreat at her house. It’s a time where she brings a word and a passage, and we split up to be quiet with God and hear what He wants to talk to us about through the scripture. I call it “Silent Together” because though we go off individually to hang with God, and though we are separate, we do it together - and I like that!
The passage was Isaiah 55 and was it ever timely!
After reading the passage, and spending some time soaking in it, my friend had suggested we write a letter from God to ourselves, to see what He wanted to say through this passage. As I journaled, I was once again blown away by His timeliness and love. And thankful for the interruption.
So, have you been interrupted lately? Has your interruption been exciting and full, or maybe like me, somewhat tiring and long? Interruptions come in all shapes and sizes. The definition online was: Interrupt – to break in or disrupt. Seems like interruptions are often not instigated by us, and they usually cause a change that we may or may not be prepared for. Whatever your interruption is, take those moments to pause and check in with yourself to see where you are. Not in judgment, but in honesty! And I bless you to have those moments to spend with God, who has that shot of encouragement and perspective change that may be exactly what you need.
I will end with the letter He wrote to me, which may also be a letter to you! He is good that way. If your interruption right now is a 5 minute encounter, a relational struggle, news you’ve received, or an invitation - God’s Word is true and He will speak to you. Maybe through the letter below. Or maybe Isaiah 55 will be timely for you in another way. For the Word of God is alive and powerful! (Hebrews 4:12) At the end, I put the steps we went through to soak in this passage. Try it! See what He has to say! He is faithful, He is here, He loves you and has whatever it is you need today.
My journal letter from God:
Hey!
Want to have some fun? Welcome to the Kingdom!
In the Kingdom, there are some absolutes, some foundational truths that don’t change:
I love you.
I am for you.
My forgiveness is inexhaustible.
What I declare happens.
My Word does not return void.
I can be trusted ABSOLUTELY and FOREVER.
So note these. They are important. They are the boundaries, and within them you are safe and loved.
But here’s the good stuff!
Within these boundaries, where you are safe and loved, it gets wild:
My intentions aren’t always yours!
I do not go about things the way you do.
My thoughts and ways are above and beyond yours.
And as you go out with Me:
You will go out in JOY!
I, Myself will lead you home in peace.
And the land will be cheering!
And the mountains and hills will be singing!
And the trees in the field will be clapping!
Pause and picture this, My child! This is the Kingdom!
Just as rain and snow soak through the ground and nourish plants that grow, providing seed to the farmer and bread to the hungry… so it is when I decree something!
Think about that. Let that soak in.
My word will go out and it will not return empty.
It will do what I wanted, and accomplish what I determined.
And I determine GOODNESS!
And you can trust all I say.
ABSOLUTELY and FOREVER!
So turn your attention and seek Me.
I am near.
I am here.
I love you.
Let’s do this!
Thanks for reading and for letting me share my process! I bless you to go out in JOY and I’ll end with a portion of this powerful scripture:
Isaiah 55:9-11
My thoughts and My ways are above and beyond you, just as heaven is far from your reach here on earth. For as rain and snow can’t go back once they’ve fallen, but soak in to the ground and nourish the plants that grow, providing seed to the farmer and bread for the hungry, so it is when I declare something. My word will go out and not return to Me empty, but it will do what I wanted; it will accomplish what I determined.
Directions for a quiet time with Isaiah 55:
Read Isaiah 55 silently to yourself.
Be still.
Read Isaiah 55 silently to yourself again.
Notice the words or phrases that surface. Notice if emotions or memories surface.
Underline the phrases that stand out. Write any thoughts you have in your journal.
Be still.
Read Isaiah 55 to yourself a third time.
Ask God what He is inviting you to.
Lastly, write a letter from God to you. What is He saying to you through this passage?
About the Author
Pam is a fun and encouraging team-builder that brings the best to those around her. She loves young people and is committed to serving and mentoring kids with opportunities to grow closer to God and each other. Pam and her husband, Jared, have been married since 2005 and have three boys.