Interrupted By God
But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Philippians 3:7 (NKJV)
When Nicky Gumbel was studying law at Cambridge University, his best friend decided to commit His life to the Lord. Nicky, a devoted atheist, was horrified. He decided he would do whatever it took to convince him that this was the worst thing he could do. So he started researching Christianity and reading the Bible, hoping to find the evidence he needed to dissuade his friend. He read through the New Testament in a couple of days and was gripped by what he read. He found that Jesus was real. He said, ‘Reading about Jesus completely changed my life. Every question I had was answered, right there in the Bible. Knowing about him was transformative.’
After finishing his law degree, he started practising law. But he always felt God tugging at his heart to become an Anglican minister. After 10 years, he left his successful job to study theology. Shortly after ordination, he served as a minister at Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB) in the heart of London. HTB became the launching pad for the very popular Alpha Course. A free course that introduces Christianity in an informal setting to those with little or no knowledge of Christianity. Alpha has transformed millions of lives, with more than 25 million completing the course worldwide.
Nicky Gumbel’s personal life was interrupted when he understood who Jesus is. Later, his professional life was interrupted when he realised that being a lawyer was not God’s plan for him. Many interruptions followed, including the Alpha course.
As followers of Jesus Christ, our old lives were interrupted when we accepted Him as Lord and Saviour. But we, just like Nicky Gumbel, will be interrupted by God to do what He calls us to do in the different seasons of our lives. When God interrupts our lives, He doesn’t do it to make our lives difficult. He does it because he has the best in mind for us and His creation.
Surrendered and Obedient
To be interrupted by God, we need to live lives fully surrendered to Him. Lives that will be obedient when He gives instructions to go wherever He sends us. Lives crucified with Christ.
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20 (NKJV)
It doesn’t matter where we find ourselves at this moment – in a successful upwardly mobile career, running a business, a satisfied stay-at-home mom, happily retired – we ought to be sensitive to the leading of Holy Spirit. Sensitive to His interruptions and count as loss everything we hold dear so that we can gain Christ.
In every generation, the world is changed by a few people who stand for something. Do not fear unpopularity and dare to make a difference. Nicky Gumbel
Reflection:
Are you willing to be interrupted by God and make a difference in this world?
Prayer:
Help me, Lord, to be ready to be interrupted by You. Help me to be sensitive to Your Holy Spirit so that I will move when You say move and go where You lead me. In Jesus’ name, amen.
