interrupt my life.

it had this acoustic, rhythmic intro that was fresh and catchy. it was the kind of beat that caused me to use the desk in front of me as some sort of hand drum. i was drawn in.

"wash me clean" by shawn mcdonald. check it out.

the first time around i was diggin' the music so much i didn't listen closely to the words. the second time around was different and it soon become a prayer. the whole song is great, but verse two really got me.

"consume my wandering thoughts and renew my mind.
remake and recreate...
and interrupt my life."

i have been learning a lot about myself lately. near the top of the list is a realization that i think far too much and listen not near enough.

thinking is obviously not always a bad thing. God gave us minds. let's use them for His glory. but he also gave us ears. so let's use them and listen. yes, to one another. but even more so...let's listen to Him. i have a tendancy to think and think and overthink and think about overthinking...topped off with more thinking.

sound exhausting?

it is.

with all this thinking going on, it's kind of distracting to hear very clearly.

"consume my wandering thoughts..."

i got stuck on that prayer for awhile.

then the kicker came...

"and interrupt my life."

this line really got my thinking. (ha! i very much realize the irony of that statement in light of what i just wrote. but come along with me for just a minute.)

am i/are we bold enough to sincerely pray a prayer like this, "God, interrupt my life"?

what might happen if we do?

what if we are called to surrender something we may have found just a little bit too much comfort in and know deep down it's really not the very best for us?

what if we are challenged to spend our time, our money, our resources...differently?

i feel the sting of these questions. but i know deep down it's a good sting. there is some heart checking going on. as that process continues and i have begun to listen, i have heard some different "what ifs".

let's ask this again: what might happen if we do pray, "God interrupt my life"?

what if in the surrender we find healing from brokenness, addictions and pain?

what if we find deep joy in spending our time, money and resources differently?

what if your neighbor...your best friend...the person next to you in class...the stranger walking down the street...the little girl you see at the park each week...the guy in the check out line...your teammate...your dad...your mom...your brother or sister...your niece or nephew...finds joy and is transformed by Christ's Hope because we prayed this prayer and partnered with Him?

what if...?