Devotionals for the Heart: When God interrupts your life for divine purpose

The Gift of Being Interrupted
A devotional by Dr. Gladys Childs

"A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps."

—Proverbs 16:9 (NKJV)

We strive for order and control in our lives.

We make plans, set goals, and pursue schedules to get the most out of each day. Whether in our careers, relationships, or spiritual walk with God, we like to know what's coming next. But what happens when life doesn't cooperate? When the well-planned day suddenly takes a turn we didn't anticipate?

Interruptions have a way of exposing how much we value control. In an instant, our best-laid plans unravel, and we're left feeling frustrated, inconvenienced, or even out of control. We think interruptions are a waste of time, an obstacle keeping us from achieving our purpose. But what if the interruption is the purpose?

Consider the life of Jesus Christ. His ministry on earth was often marked by unexpected encounters, where interruptions became moments of profound transformation. One day, while teaching a crowd by the sea, Jesus was interrupted by a synagogue leader named Jairus, who was desperate to heal his dying daughter (Mark 5:21-24). Jesus immediately responded and set off to Jairus' house. On the way there, another interruption occurred—a woman suffering from a bleeding disorder reached out in faith to touch His garment, and Jesus stopped to minister to her (Mark 5:25-34).

Imagine the tension in this moment. Jairus must have been anxiously urging Jesus to hurry while the crowd wondered what would happen next. Yet, Jesus, fully aware of both needs, didn't rush past the woman's pain. He stopped, looked at her, and called her "daughter"—restoring her physically, emotionally, and socially. Although it seemed like the delay was slowing Jesus down, He arrived right on time and healed Jairus's daughter even more miraculously by raising her from the dead.

This story teaches us something profound: God's interruptions are never accidents. What feels like a disruption to our plans is often part of His divine orchestration. The very moments that seem to throw us off course are often the places where God shows up most powerfully.

We see this pattern throughout Scripture. Moses was interrupted by a burning bush when he thought his life as a shepherd would end in the desert. David was called from the sheepfold to anointing oil, not knowing he'd be king. Saul was knocked off his horse on the road to Damascus, turning a murderous Pharisee into the Apostle Paul. In each case, God used an interruption to change the trajectory of their lives.

God still works this way today. How many divine moments have we missed because we were too focused on our plans to see what He was doing? Could it be that the very thing we're resisting is God inviting us into something deeper, more meaningful, and far more significant than our original agenda?

The next time your day is interrupted, stop and reframe your perspective. Instead of viewing it as a detour, view it as an invitation. Pray for God to open your eyes to His presence in the moment and ask Him, "Lord, what are You trying to teach me in this interruption?"

Let’s Pray: Dear Lord, thank You for being in control of my life. Please help me to see interruptions as opportunities for You to work in and through me. Grant me patience and faith to embrace your purpose in each moment. Lead me, guide me, and use me for your glory. In Jesus's Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Glorious Unfolding” by Steven Curtis Chapman. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Dr. Gladys Childs is an author, speaker, religion professor, pastor's wife, and mom helping others be F.R.E.E. to Thrive© for the abundant life God has for them. She serves as Chaplain at Texas Wesleyan University and the Women’s Director at LifePoint Fellowship. She brings 25 years of experience and knowledge to her ministry. 

Gladys is frequently called authentic, witty, and candid as she shares her journey through life’s ups and downs. Her passion is meeting people at the intersection of faith and life’s difficulties. No stranger to heartache herself, she grew up in a non-church-going family with an alcoholic mother and is a trauma survivor.

Gladys holds a Ph.D. in Foundations of Education, a Master’s in Religious Education, a Master of Divinity, and a B.A. with a double major in Counseling and Psychology. Also, she is an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church.

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