LIFE INTERRUPTED

Ashley Issler, Children's Ministry & Curriculum Pastor

Life is full of interruptions. Often when we think we have a rhythm or a clear path forward, something shifts. A sudden change, a loss, an unexpected turn—the road we walk often has dips, curves, and detours we didn’t plan for. Is God bringing an example to your mind? Maybe it’s something recent, maybe it’s something you have been carrying for a while. A “this is not what I would have chosen” moment in your life.

When I ran a day home, I had the privilege everyday of reading stories from one of our many children’s Bibles. One story that was always a favourite of the kids was from the Jesus Storybook Bible when Jesus calmed the storm. Whether you are reading it from a colourfully illustrated book, an adult Bible or retelling it around a campfire, the truth it contains is powerful no matter how it's told…Our hope is not in how well we can steer through the storm, but in the One whose voice even the wind and the waves obey.

My hope is not in the 5 year plan I have for my family, or in my paycheck, or my health, or my ability to say something brilliant at just the right moment. My hope is in Jesus, creator of the universe, Lord of all. My hope is in the good work he started in me and is not done with yet. The good work he has started in the community around me, and is not done with yet.

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Philippians 1:6

I was reminded this week by someone in my boat, that my job in the middle of the storm is to listen to the voice of the One the wind and waves obey. I love that I get to listen for his voice with the others in my boat.

Who is in your boat? How are you listening with them?

I want to tell you about an event we have coming up in a week. We are calling it Life Interrupted and it is taking place at Bowridge on Saturday, June 14th at 1:00 p.m. At this event we will be hearing from some people in our community who have experienced difficult life interruptions. We will have an opportunity to listen to, and interact a little, with their stories. We will hear about the storms that have interrupted their lives and how God has been faithful in their journey. This event is open to anyone who has experienced some form of loss or is journeying with someone walking through loss (aka, everyone), but is especially helpful for parents.

If you would like to register for or learn more about Life Interrupted, please visit our Events page or email me at [email protected]

I thank God that I don’t have to steer through this storm without him and I don’t have to do it without all of you either.