When Waiting Is Messy

Christmas comes with high expectations. We want everything to be just perfect, don’t we? We have pictures in our minds of children playing, church choirs singing, people smiling and getting along. But how often does it happen that way? It is supposed to be “the most wonderful time of the year”, but for many it is very difficult because something has interrupted. Those interruptions sometimes come in the form of sickness, death, loneliness, loss of a job, or arguments.

We look to the Christmas season to be a time of perfect peace, harmony, and joy. That is what all the signs we see and songs that we hear say. 

When we look at the first Christmas, the scene can be one that is seen as somewhat messy. There were some interruptions that caused a great deal of frustration among what should have been a time of great joy.

READ MATTHEW 1:18-25

Interruptions can happen at any time. Consider Joseph and Mary. They were engaged to be married. Like Christmas, engagement is supposed to be a wonderful time. There were dreams of this young couple building a life together. 

It was during their engagement that an angel appeared to Mary and told her that she would give birth to the Son of God. Good news, right? Actually, this would be very interruptive. How would she explain this situation to Joseph? Would Joseph believe her? Would he be willing to take the responsibility of raising a child that was not his? This was definitely not in the plans, and yet, she accepted it. 

If we are not careful, our response to an interruption in life can send us down a wrong path. We can jump to conclusions and try to fix it in our own ways.

Joseph almost went down that wrong path. When he discovered Mary’s pregnancy, he was heartbroken. Joesph loved Mary with all his heart, but he couldn’t be with her. Joseph knew that this child was not his. Joseph could have had Mary put to death for infidelity, but chose to not embarrass her. Joseph planned in his heart to divorce Mary quietly, but this would have been a mistake.

Often, an interruption brings on a knee-jerk reaction. We make decisions that we would not make if we were better informed. We must be careful that when we face “an interruption” in this life, we don’t just react according to our own fears and feelings. 

The key to handling any interruption is to get God’s take on it. Thankfully, God rescued Joseph from his error. I can imagine Joseph, having learned of Mary’s situation, tossing and turning in bed, trying to decide what to do. Finally, he decides. He will divorce her privately. But while he is sleeping an angel of the Lord appears to him in a dream and says,

²⁰ But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. ²¹ She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

Matthew 1:20:21 (ESV)

Joseph awoke with a changed mind. He would not divorce Mary. He would take her as his wife and help raise this miraculous child. He had gotten God’s perspective of his interruption.

When you encounter an interruption, don’t react according to your own feelings and thoughts. Seek God’s direction. Remember Proverbs 3:5-6.​

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. ⁶ In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)

Three Words to Remember When You Face An Interruption

Prayer

When an interruption comes into life and seems to mess everything up, stop and take time to pray. 

Prayer is one of the most powerful gifts that we have been given by God. Sadly, too many people see prayer as a last resort. Rather, it should be a first priority. 

Through prayer, we are able to go straight to God. We do not have to sit on hold in prayer. When we open our hearts and speak to God, He hears us at that very moment. Even better, God will speak to our hearts through prayer. 

³ Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.

Jeremiah 33:3 (ESV)

When “interruptions” arise in our lives, we should go to God in prayer and ask for wisdom concerning the situation – What is going on? We should ask for help – Help me to understand what You are up to with this, LORD. 

God will help us through times of prayer just like He helped Joseph with what seemed to be a devastating interruption. 

Perspective

The second word for times of interruptions is perspective. This is closely linked to the first word – prayer. We should allow God to put the “interruption” in its proper perspective. 

What we may see as something that is “end-of-the-world” may not actually be. In the grand scope of things, is what is going on really as bad as we may think it is? 

There may be some interruptions that are very significant. I do not want to make light of that. But in the moment, some molehills seem to be mountains. 

It is important to allow God to re-center us and put things in their proper perspective. This is what happened with Joseph in our text. Instead of just going forward with what he thought was best, Joseph allowed God to show him the truth. This gave Joseph clear vision to follow God’s perfect plan even when it looked crazy to everyone else. 

Providence

The third word for us during times of interruptions in life is providence. Providence is the continuing and often unseen activity of God in sustaining his universe, providing for the needs of every creature, and preparing for the completion of his eternal purposes.

This is closely tied to another attribute of God: His sovereignty. God is in complete control. There is nothing that can happen without God first knowing it and allowing it. 

As we come to God in prayer and allow Him to set the proper perspective for us, it grows within us a trust in Him that He’s got this. While it may seem like everything is out of control in the moment, God is still on the throne and not taken by surprise. 

We may not like the “interruption” that has come up, but could God be trying to point out something to us with this very interruption? Is there something that we were missing completely, and our ever-loving God is trying to make us aware of it? 

When you truly trust in God, you rest in the fact that He is in control and will work every single thing for the good of those who love Him and for His glory (Romans 8:28). 

Interruptions are not fun all the time, but they can redirect our lives in a positive manner. This was true for Joseph and Mary. Their plans were interrupted, but what an interruption! Can you imagine the privilege of being the human parents of the Son of God? The direction their future took was not what they had planned, but it was so much better.

Have you considered that God could do that in your life? God may take an interruption – as messy as it seems – and use it to set your life on a new and better path.

God may take an interruption – as messy as it seems – and use it to set your life on a new and better path. Share on X

Whatever interruption you might be facing, look at it in a different light. Ask, “God, are you using this to do something great in my life?” Allow Him to give you the proper perspective. Let your trust in His providence grow more than ever before.