Divine Disruption

1. Embrace Divine Disruption: God's Purpose in Life's Challenges

Life has been interrupted, but we have to believe there is a divine message in the disruption somehow. One that could save our lives and, ultimately, bring us closer to each other and God.

Divine purpose in disruption. God often uses life's interruptions and challenges to draw us closer to Him and each other. These disruptions, while painful, can serve as catalysts for spiritual growth and transformation. They force us to reevaluate our priorities, deepen our faith, and rely more heavily on God's strength.

Recognizing God's hand. In times of upheaval, it's crucial to look beyond the surface and seek God's greater purpose. This may involve:

• Asking honest questions and wrestling with God
• Seeking wisdom from Scripture and mature believers
• Reflecting on past experiences where God has been faithful
• Identifying opportunities for growth and ministry amidst the chaos

2. Faith Over Fear: Trusting God in Uncertain Times

Dad always reminded us that emotion has to be the caboose rather than the engine. In other words, emotion must follow faith; we cannot be led by our feelings.

Choose faith deliberately. In the face of fear and uncertainty, we must make a conscious decision to trust God rather than be led by our emotions. This doesn't mean denying our feelings, but rather acknowledging them while choosing to act on faith.

Practical steps to cultivate faith:

• Immerse yourself in God's Word daily
• Surround yourself with encouraging believers
• Practice gratitude, even in difficult circumstances
• Take small steps of obedience, even when you don't feel like it
• Seek professional help when needed (counseling, therapy)

Remember that faith is like a muscle – it grows stronger with exercise and consistent practice.

3. The Power of Legacy: Building a Lasting Impact Through Small Decisions

This is how we build legacy, one small and sometimes seemingly insignificant action or decision at a time that ripples long after the initial impact.

Daily faithfulness matters. Legacy isn't built through grand gestures alone, but through consistent, small acts of obedience and love. Every decision, no matter how insignificant it may seem, has the potential to create lasting ripples of impact.

Building a Kingdom Legacy:

• Prioritize family relationships and spiritual formation
• Serve others with consistency and humility
• Make ethical choices, even when no one is watching
• Invest in the next generation through mentoring and discipleship
• Document your journey of faith to inspire future generations

Remember that your legacy extends far beyond your immediate family – it impacts your community and potentially generations to come.

4. Navigating Grief: Finding Strength in God's Promises

You always have to go back to the character of God. If you lose sight of God's character, you will be lost.

God's character as anchor. In the midst of grief and loss, it's crucial to ground ourselves in the unchanging nature of God. His love, faithfulness, and sovereignty remain constant, even when our circumstances and emotions are in turmoil.

Finding comfort in grief:

• Allow yourself to honestly express your pain to God
• Meditate on Scriptures that speak of God's comfort and presence
• Seek support from your faith community
• Create meaningful ways to honor and remember loved ones
• Look for opportunities to minister to others who are grieving

Remember that healing is a process, and it's okay to wrestle with questions and doubts along the way.

5. The Art of Surrender: Yielding to God's Will in Difficult Circumstances

The only way you can put a miracle on an altar is to understand the art of surrender. You cannot surrender to someone you do not trust.

Trust enables surrender. True surrender to God's will comes from a deep trust in His character and purposes. It's not about suppressing our desires or emotions, but rather aligning them with God's greater plan.

Cultivating a spirit of surrender:

• Regularly practice giving control of various areas of your life to God
• Study the examples of surrender in Scripture (e.g., Abraham, Jesus)
• Identify areas where you struggle to trust God and bring them to Him in prayer
• Celebrate the times when surrender has led to unexpected blessings
• Remember that God's ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9)

Surrender is a lifelong process of learning to trust God more fully with every aspect of our lives.

6. Dwelling in God's Presence: Cultivating a Deep and Abiding Relationship

This is the concept of abiding, concentrating on maintaining a fervent and vibrant connection with God throughout the regular rhythms of the day.

Constant communion with God. Dwelling in God's presence goes beyond scheduled devotional times; it's about maintaining an ongoing awareness of and connection to God throughout our daily lives.

Practical ways to abide:

• Practice the presence of God (as described by Brother Lawrence)
• Place Scripture reminders in prominent places throughout your day
• Develop a habit of short, frequent prayers
• Learn to see God's hand in nature, relationships, and everyday occurrences
• Create space for silence and solitude to hear God's voice

Remember that abiding is not about perfection, but persistence in seeking God's presence.

7. Divine Reset: Embracing God's Transformative Work in Our Lives

God is allowing these calamities to interrupt the world and get our attention. But, perhaps what's most important, this is something to wake up the church.

God's refining process. Times of upheaval and crisis can serve as a divine reset, allowing God to strip away distractions and refocus our priorities. This process, while often painful, can lead to profound spiritual growth and renewal.

Embracing God's transformative work:

• Identify areas in your life that need realignment with God's purposes
• Be willing to let go of comfort and control
• Look for new opportunities to serve and minister in changing circumstances
• Cultivate a teachable spirit, open to God's correction and guidance
• Remember that God's ultimate goal is our transformation into Christ's likeness

View challenges as opportunities for God to do a new work in and through you, rather than simply as obstacles to overcome.

Last updated: August 12, 2024