Interruptions

Dr. Gary Nelson

...but if...

IMG_2147 by you.
IMG_2147 by you.


"I may be able to speak the languages of human beings and even of angels,but ifI have no love, my speech is no more than a noisy gong or a clanging bell. I may have the gift of inspired preaching; I may have all knowledge and understand all secrets; I may have all the faith needed to move mountains - but if I have no love, I am nothing. I may give away everything I have, and even give up my body to be burned - but if I have no love, this does me no good." (I Corinthians 13:1-3)

On several occasions I have found myself driving in the predawn hours of the morning, keenly intent on arriving at my destination by the scheduled time. (Why else would I be driving in the predawn hours hours of the morning?) Then, to my joy and frustration God has decided to throw a "but" into my morning drive. "I really need to get to my destination but I can't pass up the opportunity to stop and take a picture of this beautiful sunrise," I say to myself. I get out of the car, and as I'm taking the picture, the picture and the day come into focus. Once again I'm reminded by the sunrise that whatever I do that day everything I do will be influenced by the awareness gained from the sunrise moment - that this day is another gift from God. Thanks be to God.

"But's" are important in our lives. They can function as the interruption we need to help us regain and retain our true focus. I have a piece of paper that simply says, "....but if..."
framed and sitting in my office as a reminder of what the Apostle Paul meant when he said, "...but if I have no love..." I pray that whenever I find myself focused on any conversation, interaction, agenda, or project I will be interrupted by God whispering Paul's words in my ear, "....but if I have no love..." How about You?

Blessings and Peace,
Gary
Pastor, Sand Hill United Methodist Church
Boaz, West Virginia


Help save lives! For more information on my new book, "A Relentless Hope: Surviving the Storm of Teen Depression," visit www.survivingteendepression.com.

Check out my new video, "Teens Surviving the Storm"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1hSpxC_G24