Monday Morning Interruptions
Posted by Todd Rhoades in Leadership on Jan 30th, 2012 | 3 commentsJustin Taylor posted a couple of great quotes from John Newton recently. I thought they were extremely fitting as you start your new week:
I have seldom one-hour free from interruption. Letters, that must be answered, visitants that must be received, business that must be attended to. I have a good many sheep and lambs to look after, sick and afflicted souls dear to the Lord; and therefore, whatever stands still, these must not be neglected.
And this one:
When I hear a knock at my study door, I hear a message from God. It may be a lesson of instruction; perhaps a lesson of patience: but, since it is his message, it must be interesting.
How do you plan on dealing with interruptions today?
You can read more from Justin here.
3 Responses to “ “Monday Morning Interruptions”
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Two thoughts, Todd:
If I have a project to complete, I will sequester myself from everything. No iPhone. No internet (unless it’s required of the project – and even then, no other sites up). No presence in the office (more like a library or some obscure coffee shop).
Every day my plan includes 20% margin time. For example, if my day is 8 hours long, almost 2 of those hours have nothing pre-planned. That way, I can pursue the agenda God’s laid on my heart AND have room for divine appointments that come along. I can notice them as appointments from God because I haven’t scheduled a full 8 hours of stuff to get done.
* note: if I am not “interrupted” during the margin time, then I can “borrow” tomorrow’s task list and get a jump on it today.
Brilliant, Scott. I love the idea of scheduling interruptions.
Proverbs 16:9 In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 16:3-4 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. The LORD works out everything for his own ends– even the wicked for a day of disaster.
I take comfort in God looks more at the sincerity of my heart rather than the ingenuity of my mind.
Even when I tell God “Yes, I want to do your will,” I am still limited in my scope of implementing it. God has often taken my half-baked plans and used them to achieve whole-baked results.
“Interruptions” are often God’s little course corrections which arrive mid trip.