I hate being interrupted. And by hate, I mean HATE. Few things set my teeth more on edge than having what I’m doing preempted by a phone call or an uninvited guest. It’s not just when I’m writing, but true in all aspects of my life. When I am engaging in any activity, I’m all in and don’t want to think about anything else until I’m done.
Having shared my home with 14 Shetland Sheepdogs over my life, my wife swears I am part Sheltie. The breed is task-oriented to maniacal extremes. Perhaps she’s right. More probable is the fact that I’m just selfish. It would serve me much better to remember that all time is God’s time.
When my impatience flares over yet another distraction, it’s ugly. I’m short with others. My words are not charitable as they should be. It’s not just a character flaw, it’s a problem. Where would I be without the grace and mercy of God? After a recent episode of interruption-induced impatience, I was reflecting on it and praying for the ability to respond in a more Christ-like manner when a wonderful truth filled my mind: All time is God’s time. When I am moving within His will, I devote every second I have to Him.
All the time we have is God’s time; therefore, everything that happens is a divine appointment. There are no interruptions because we are always and only about serving our King. What we do or don’t accomplish in this world is irrelevant. There are no interruptions, only opportunities to display God’s love, grace, and mercy. Nothing we do is as important as modeling Christ’s love and care for another person.
Knowing all time is God’s time removes the notion of my time being interrupted from my thinking. I live and move and breathe for His pleasure, not mine. Everything He has for me to do will get done, and anything else is irrelevant and a waste of time. (Ephesians 2:10; Philippians 2:13) What is it we think we do in this life that will matter in eternity? Only what we do for Christ will last (1 Corinthians 3:12-15; Matthew 6:19-21), so why waste any time on our selfish and trivial pursuits? When we spend our time in His service, all interruptions become divine opportunities to live out our faith and calling.
In the short time since I began practicing this mindset, I have noticed interruptions now make me smile a bit. I still can get a bit uptight when deadlines approach, but that only means I’ve not yet internalized the truth that all time is God’s time. There is no moment that is mine. They all belong to Him and are to be used for His glory and His purposes. It takes the pressure off trying to be or accomplish anything in this life. I am who Jesus says I am and here to do the work He gives me to do. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Colossians 3:17; Ephesians 2:10) Nothing more, nothing less, and that adds up to less stress!
It is good to remember that all time is God’s time, even if you don’t struggle with my interruption irritation. Remember that when you plan your days. Only what we do for Christ matters. Does your calendar reflect that? Do your dreams result in giving you what you want or glorifying the Lord? Every breath is a gift from God and we should not waste a single one. Every action is only available because God allows it to be so. And all time is God’s time. Never treat it as anything else.