Interruption as Opportunity

If you welcome interruption when it's optional, you'll embrace it as opportunity when it isn't.

In other words, choose self-denial even when it's optional.

It's in the tiny things like being the one to make the cup of tea even though you're comfy or going the extra mile for someone even though the first mile was enough.

Whenever I get a hint of "selfish laziness" - the voice that says "I should really do [that thing] but it won't matter if I miss it this time" - it drives me to do it all the more!

But I agree; loving people is rarely convenient. Not the love that Jesus calls us to anyway. If it was a natural occurrence he wouldn't have needed to command us to do it.

I know, there are some people who it's easy to love. Or just babies, for example, who doesn't love baby cuddles. But we're asked to love even when the other person doesn't meet our requirements, when it isn't the right time, when we're too tired, when we had other things in the diary (hello👋🏼).

This is why it's important to practice sacrificial love, to practice self-denial, to practice what it means to err on the side of sacrifice. There will be times when there is no option but self-denial, better to be ready for it when it comes. Then, when that person calls, when the neighbour comes round, when disaster hits, your heart will already be ready and willing to serve.

See your next interruption as a divine opportunity to love a child of God.