In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.
– Proverbs 16:9
No one that I know of appreciates being delayed.
Perhaps the worst type of delay that annoys me is when traffic is backed up for miles on the local interstate, only to find out 35 minutes later that there was no apparent reason for the logjam.
Or was there???
I’ve often wondered if those “invisible delays” – where there’s no accident, no construction, no clear cause – are God’s way of putting His hand on the timeline of my day and saying, “Not just yet.” Maybe to protect me from something. Maybe to give someone else time to cross my path. Or maybe just to teach me how to slow down and trust that I’m not in charge of everything.
In the Bible, Jesus’ ministry was full of interruptions. He was often on the way to do one thing when something – or someone – stopped Him.
- He was on His way to heal Jairus’ daughter when a woman with a bleeding condition touched His cloak (Mark 5:21-34).
- He was teaching in a house when a group of friends tore open the roof to lower their paralyzed friend inside (Mark 2:1-2).
- He was trying to rest when a crowd followed Him, and He had compassion and fed them (Mark 6:31-44).
None of those moments were on the “schedule.” But every one of them became sacred.
Interruptions feel like inconveniences to us. But to God, they’re often invitations. Moments when He’s redirecting us, slowing us down, or placing someone in our path that we otherwise would’ve missed.
So the next time you find yourself stuck in traffic, delayed at the store, or detoured from your original plans, pause and ask:
“God, is this a divine interruption?”
He might just be doing something greater than you can see.
Former Blackout Artist 