Disruptions and Interruptions

Most of us don’t like interruptions even though an interruption is usually short-lived and of minimal consequence for the day or for one’s life. We actually have many of these during a day, or at least several per week. They tend to be so commonplace that we can bear the burden (if you can even call it that) and then move on.

A disruption, on the other hand, is usually more significant. When we say that we experienced a disruption it usually implies noticeable harm or inefficiency beyond a simple pause. Our plans might be disrupted and not resumed, or the power to our home could be disrupted for an extended period of time. That can dramatically change the things we are able to do because we plug into the power for most tasks and entertainment.

An Example of Success followed by Disruption

Of course both can make us frustrated, but when we are disrupted our patience is disrupted. We lack patience and sometimes perspective. But perhaps we can learn from Philip. In Acts 8:4-8 the following is recorded about his evangelistic efforts that were bringing joy to many. “Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in that city.”

Crowds were paying attention. Unclean spirits were being purged, healing was being provided. The result was joy. What could possibly go wrong? A disruption could impact lives! But what if the disruption has an amazing twist?

The Disruption: The Lord Disrupts

Later in that same chapter the story of Philip resumes. In Acts 8:26-31 it says, “Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. And the Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go over and join this chariot.’ So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ And he said, ‘How can I, unless someone guides me?’ And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.”

Don’t miss the contrast. Effective city ministry reaching many people is disrupted to take a trip to the Gaza desert. That makes no sense from a human perspective. But this disruption gave Philip the opportunity to share something about the Old Testament prophecy and who it was about. “Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.” Acts 8:35

What happened? The eunuch believed the scripture, and as a result “the eunuch saw him no more and went on his way rejoicing.” (Acts 8:39) Notice the joy at the end of this disruption.

Stop and Allow for Interruptions and Disruptions

This applies to more than just “gospel ministry.” Joseph Tenney shared an insight from Bonhoeffer that reads like this: “Bonhoeffer petitions every Christian to stop and allow for interruption — to cultivate a disruption theology, as it were. This benefits both the one doing the interrupting, as well as the person being interrupted because it is in those instances God reveals himself in ways we may never have seen or experienced otherwise. God is erecting visible signs of the cross in our path for our benefit to show us that his kingdom is at hand — to invite us in his work.” – Joseph Tenney, October 28, 2015

Conclusion

You can view a disruption in many different ways. We can be frustrated and impatient. Does that really help? Perspective matters and we shouldn’t let disruptions disrupt our peace and joy or our ability to be of help to someone who needs it.

Five Minute Friday

This post is part of the weekly Five-Minute Friday link-up.

All scripture passages are from the English Standard Version except as otherwise noted.