Humanity Interrupted by God

I really enjoy Max Lucado’s Christmas books. In fact, my wife, Ceci, always encouraged me to read from them as Christmas drew close each year, when I had a church in Colorado Springs. We would hold a service we called a fireside chat, complete with a fireplace prop, and I would read some of Max’s Christmas stories. He has such a way with words. Here’s a quote I like a lot, “He came, not as a flash of light or as an unapproachable conqueror, but as one whose first cries were heard by a peasant girl and a sleepy carpenter. God tapped humanity on its collective shoulder, ‘Pardon me,’ He said, and eternity interrupted time, divinity interrupted carnality, and heaven interrupted in the form of a baby. Christianity was born in one big heavenly interruption.” (Max Lucado)1

“’Am I a God who is near,’ declares the LORD, ‘And not a God far off?’” (Jeremiah 23:23; NASB)

Give Him 15 minutes in prayer:

  • Take some time and rest in this busy season. Get out your Bible and read about Jesus’ birth. Take some time to notice some things about His coming as an infant.
  • Think about how He first came to you. Did He interrupt your life and set you on a new course.
  • Intercede for loved ones you have that need a little God-interruption in their lives.
  • Thank God that He is interrupting our national life. He is good at this. He’s been at it at long time – setting things back on course.

A prayer you can pray:

Lord, I’m pulling my Bible out today to read the Christmas story with new eyes. Since we read it year after year, I think I’ve gotten used to the way the story has been told, instead of the way you want me to “hear” it. You certainly interrupted my life when You came to me and saved me. Your tap on my shoulder was a shock and I have never been the same. Thank you. (Intercede for loved ones you have that need a little God-interruption in their lives.) Thank you for interrupting our nation’s course. You are course-correcting it, and, while it may be challenging, You know what You’re doing. I choose to trust You and to pray for those in the thick of the change. Amen.

Today’s decree:

I decree that God is interrupting our nation’s course and the end result will be good!

1 Lucado, Max, God Came Near: God’s Perfect Gift. Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee, 1986. Page 7.