By Gina Castell
On Thanksgiving Eve, our holiday plans were canceled.
No big deal, I thought, we’ll just stay home and order in.
While researching caterers for Thanksgiving dinner, my husband and I heard a loud bang. I thought a plane had landed on our roof.
Panic arose in my heart, and I wondered if my son was home and safe. We ran from room to room, trying to figure out what had happened.
We finally realized what the problem was when we opened the front door.
A car had plowed into the front of our house.
Two young women stood in our yard.
Thankfully, my son wasn’t home yet and everyone was safe.
But my house sported a big hole where a car’s front end was planted.
My plans for the holidays really changed. I spent the next three months hiring contractors for repairs and making sure we received insurance money to pay for them.
Our holiday cheer was definitely interrupted.
But God was watching over us. Things could have been worse.
Praise sprouted in my heart for how the Lord had protected us.
Life is not perfect and things go wrong, but God has us in the palm of His hands.
Sometimes God may change our plans to avoid trouble, give a better route, or reveal Himself in a new way.
God has purpose in all He does.
3 Ways God Worked Through Interruptions in the Lives of His Servants
1 – God’s Wind
The book of Acts describes the numerous nautical journeys of the Apostle Paul.
During these journeys, we witness God changing Paul’s direction and keeping him safe from harm. Through these divine interruptions, God proved His power and sovereignty.
More than once weather conditions caused Paul’s redirection.
While heading to Italy, the crew was prevented from going the way they planned because the “wind did not permit (them) to go farther” (Acts 27:7).
God is in control of the wind and can use it to change our direction—physical and metaphorical.
God had plans for us before we were born that we should walk in (Eph 2:10). When we listen for His voice, we get an understanding of His will and ways.
2 – Unexpected Twists
“Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.” – Acts 16:6-7 NIV
Paul wanted to go to Bithynia, but wound up in Troas.
The apostle planned on doing something good—something divine. But God prevented him.
Sometimes two paths emerge. One is our plan; the other is the Lord’s.
From time to time, we must go with the second choice because the first option wasn’t the Lord’s sovereign will. But what’s really at stake is our willingness to submit to God’s authority and trust His plan.
When we trust God with unexpected twists, our trust in the Lord deepens.
Interrupted plans teach us patience and obedience.
God knows what He’s doing. When we wait on the Lord in prayer and Bible study, He speaks to us in powerful ways.
3 – New Assignments
Moses wanted to become a deliverer way before his time. He saw the injustice of the Egyptians toward the Israelites and interceded on his own.
Moses witnessed an Egyptian mistreating one of his Israelite brethren and murdered the Egyptian. Moses ran away in fear of Pharaoh’s retaliation.
While shepherding for 40 years, Moses may have felt lost. But even this unexpected twist got him to the mountain where God was.
God’s plans are superior to ours.
Consider these faithful followers of God who experience life-changing interruptions:
- Esther didn’t plan on being betrothed to a heathen king. But when God’s plan unfolded, she was in the right place at the right time.
- It wasn’t Abraham’s idea to leave his home, but God used his obedience to give birth to a nation that would be His representative.
- Zacchaeus’ curiosity got the best of him. This short tax collector climbed a tree to see Jesus and his life was never the same.
- Paul was a Pharisee who killed Christians until he found salvation on his way to Damascus (Acts 9:5). He became one of the most prominent Christian missionaries, writers, pastors, and teachers of all time.
God Allows Interruptions for His Purpose
We may not like the path we’re on right now and wonder where God is. Maybe we failed at something and were humiliated.
God can still use our pain and disappointments for good.
Proverbs 3:3–5 NIV says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
We may not know why everything happens as it does, but we can trust a divine plan is unfolding because God is always faithful.
“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” – Proverbs 19:21 NIV
Gina Castell
Gina Castell has been a Christian for 36 years. She loves God’s Word, prayer, and enjoying time with friends and family. She lives in New York with her husband and son. She has written for Fathom magazine, Our Story Magazine, and Living by Design Ministries. She is a member of the Brooklyn Tabernacle and Compel Training Writing Group. Connect with her on Instagram, Facebook, and X.
