Time alone in the pasture with my dogs is my sweet spot. Out for a simple walk listening to worship music or a podcast while taking in the glory of God’s creation lights me up.

Recently I was listening to a podcast that asked a question, imagine how Jesus lived here on earth. Picture His day to day life. Now picture an area of your own life that’s far from the life Jesus lived. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you identify it and make the necessary changes.

I highly encourage you to do this exercise and journal about it.

As I walked through the pasture recalling the Gospels and the details of Jesus’ life here on earth the Holy Spirit kept bringing one point home about Jesus.

He was “interruptible”. 

Jesus was never so busy with His mission/agenda/plans for the day that He wasn’t available to people.

He followed God’s will regardless of His schedule. He leaned in. He noticed people. He was available.

Take the woman with the bleeding issue. You can read it in Luke 8:43-48

A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding, and she could find no cure. Coming up behind Jesus, she touched the fringe of his robe. Immediately, the bleeding stopped. “Who touched me?” Jesus asked. Everyone denied it, and Peter said, “Master, this whole crowd is pressing up against you.”

But Jesus said, “Someone deliberately touched me, for I felt healing power go out from me.” When the woman realized that she could not stay hidden, she began to tremble and fell to her knees in front of him. The whole crowd heard her explain why she had touched him and that she had been immediately healed. “Daughter,” he said to her, “your faith has made you well. Go in peace.

Jesus was already changing His plans and making Himself available to Jarius after he told Him about his sick daughter needing to be healed earlier in Luke 8.

But on the way there He was interrupted. The woman with the severe bleeding problems reached out and touched the hem of his garment. In faith, she chose to put herself out there.

Then the coolest thing happened! Jesus felt the healing power go out of Him. He could have just left it there. The woman was healed. He was on a mission. He had plans ahead. This interruption would cost Jesus time if He stopped. It could cost the life of this little girl.

But Jesus stopped and acknowledged this woman and her faith.

He didn’t let His plans stop Him from seeing this woman and being there for her. He didn’t get upset or short with people. 

I hate to admit how different I used to be in this area. (And to be honest I still struggle with it from time to time now.)

My first reaction to people interrupting my already made plans for my day used to completely wreck me. I would get testy and short with them. Couldn’t they see how their interruption was making a mess of my best laid plans?!?!

Ouch that hurts to think about still.

I want to be available to the people and situations God puts in my path. No matter how big or small each situation seems, I know God is calling me there for a reason.

My prayer is that we are all more like Jesus in this area. 

More available

More interruptible

More like Jesus in every way

Will you join me?