Available for Interruption
by Jeanne Rogers
“As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another,
as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” (I Peter 4:10)
The Bible makes it clear that every believer is gifted to serve. The meaning of the word, gift in the Amplified version of this verse is “a particular spiritual talent, a gracious divine endowment.” We are told to be faithful stewards of “the extremely diverse powers and gifts granted to Christians by unmerited favor.”
None of these special talents are for our own exclusive enjoyment. We are made trustees of them, and we will be held accountable for the way we manage the investment of God’s grace in us. We are not to rely on our own strength but use the power that God supplies to glorify Him when we use our gifts to minister to others.
John Wimber, the founder of Vineyard Ministries, gave believers a practical understanding of ministering in the grace gifts. “We are like the mailman--everyday, wherever we go, we minister and serve, making God’s grace gift deliveries to build His Kingdom,” he says.
God wants us to change our “do not disturb” attitude and pattern of living and focus us on people who need Him. If God supplies the supernatural ability and strength, then the greatest obstacle in making deliveries must be our unwillingness to be postmen. People’s gifts can be blocked by several common barriers:
- They find it much easier to be self-serving and self centered.
- They think they must “have it all together” before they can give out to others.
- They don’t believe they have any gifts.
- They let the pursuit of material things consume their time and energy.
We have to conform to a different standard and change spiritual gears to remove these barriers (Romans 12:1-2). We must learn what our spiritual gifts are and be available and willing to be interrupted as Jesus was.
As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, He heard a man yell, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” He stopped and addressed the man, “What do you want me to do for you?” (Mark 10:46-51) In that setting of crowds of people pursuing Him, Jesus let Himself be interrupted to offer the gift of healing to the blind man. In fact, most of His miracles happened as a result of an interruption.
In his book, A Life God Rewards, author Bruce Wilkerson reminds us of our generous endowment of God’s grace. He writes, "Everyday is a new opportunity to discover what eternal business might be lurking in the ordinary business of being human."
Remember, in your ordinary business of being human, you are supernaturally equipped to be your Father’s servant. When you become the available postman and make an eternal delivery with your grace gift, He gets all the glory.
This Week
Let’s live as faithful stewards, open to every opportunity to participate in eternal business. May we be able to say as Jesus said, "I brought glory to you here on earth by doing everything you told me to do." (John 17:4)
Prayer
"Lord, too often, I’ve lived focused on my life. I am removing my “do not disturb” signs to live my life available to You and to others. Interrupt me and direct me as I devote my time, talent, and energy to meeting the needs of others."
