this wonderful phrase, brought to life by many extreme devoted followers of Christ over time, especially brother Lawrence, was again brought to life this morning at the pastors and church workers breakfast.
a few of us huddled around in the prayer room at beauchamp house, where the school of the lion meets. we were reminded that the sometimes the odd encounters we have with other people, whether difficult people, or problemed people, or needy people, we can often retreat into ourselves and try our best to pass by. but, instead of seeing these encounters as interruptions, we should see these times as divine encounters - not only for us to bless someone else, but to allow God to speak to us - to keep us sharp for him, to keep us mission minded, to keep us on fire and on the cutting edge of his light rays in a dark world.
if we see anything as an interruption then, i'm realising that what we experience at that moment is actually prideful selfishness; that my time is more important than someone elses.
when did we get so busy as to actively seek to forget about the needs of others?
it sounds harsh, but we all do it. we all miss out on the divine encounters and label them as uncomfortable and too time-consuming; because if we had the time, of course we'd do something?!
hmm. i wonder.
i'm being challenged to live an existence of greater self-sacrifice, of greater devotion to God and his presence. I want to get to the place where his agenda is my agenda, where his time is my time, when he breathes i breathe. i have a long way to go. and the answer isn't in giving up all our own pursuits, interests to struggle and meet the needs of everyone we see - but it is in being sensitive to what the Holy Spirit is asking us to do and to say, who to serve, who to pray for. when to give up our time for others.
it needs a lot of practise huh?! the practise of his presence. all the time...
i let out a bewildered sigh at myself. :)
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