A Bigger Interrupter Than Kanye
Under the category of "Did that just happen???" I'm sure by now you've heard about or seen Kanye West's wildly inappropriate outburst at the MTV Video Music Awards.
Of course this is not what you would call a great career move to say the least, but I guess the silver lining for Kanye is his honorable mention in the Urban Dictionary:
Imma let you finish [eye-ma-let-yoo-fin-ish]:
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1. Obnoxious way to interrupt someone and steal their moment, while wryly mocking that media train wreck that is Kanye West.
Based on West's instantly infamous interruption of Taylor Swift's acceptance speech at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards for Best Female Video with his insane microphone-stealing shout out to Beyonce.
Bob: Thank you Mr. Brown for having us in to give this sales presentation. We'd like to talk to you today about...
Alfred: Yo, Bob, I'm really happy for you, and Imma let you finish, but I just got to say our product is one of the best products there is!
I guess West did let Taylor finish…sort of. But the cool part was the moment Beyonce recognized Swift and gave her a chance to have her moment of glory.
Have you ever been completely and rudely interrupted? I'm thinking the majority of us can relate - but how about interrupted during an extremely important moment by someone who obviously doesn't care about you or your mission at that moment?
OK, let's take it one step further. The VMA disaster was a physical interruption and as I watched it play out, a thought occurred to me that I'd like to share. No seriously, Imma let you finish, but first consider this:
Are there ever spiritual interruptions that are as rude and inconsiderate as Kanye's? I sure believe so, and there's a very well defined plan behind them.
Think about it…have you ever stopped to take some time to pray, and suddenly your thoughts are bombarded with worry or unpleasant memories? Or have you planned out a quiet time to read the Bible, and suddenly the phone rings, or you remember something you have to take care of first?
Or worst of all, have you ever tried to share the gospel with someone and out of nowhere, people cut into the conversation or something sidetracks the person away from the most amazing message on earth?
Not a coincidence folks…Satan and his army of demons are completely dedicated to preventing and halting any efforts on your part to connect with God through prayer and reading the Bible. And they are literally hell-bent on halting even a single word about Jesus Christ from escaping your lips.
Just check out a few descriptions of this from God's Word:
Satan, who leads the whole world astray… (Revelation 12:9).
Satan disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14).
We wanted very much to come to you, and I, Paul, tried again and again, but Satan prevented us (1 Thessalonians 2:18).
See what I mean? Satan just sits back and waits until you try to take the stage for Jesus Christ, then he jumps in and steals your microphone and your chance to glorify God.
Oh - and he doesn't let you finish.
Here's the great news though. If you can see an interruption coming, you can usually prevent it or ignore it. And now that you know spiritual disturbances are headed your way whenever you try to connect with God or share the gospel of Jesus Christ, you can be more prepared.
How?
First, recognize the interruption and take it to God. That way, what Satan meant for evil will actually focus your thoughts more on your Heavenly Father! Pray something like: "Father, I know that what's happening right now is an attempt to keep me from connecting with you. Please help me keep my thoughts and spiritual eyes focused only on You."
Second, resist Satan, and you can be sure of this promise:
Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you (James 4:7-8).
Here's the way The Message version of the Bible puts it:
Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he'll be there in no time.
Finally, refuse to give up. When you stop praying, you miss out on God's peace and blessing. When you stop reading the Bible, you lose out on God's truth and strength. And when you stop sharing the gospel, you trash the opportunity to lead someone to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Bottom line: stay the course in connecting with God, reading His word, and sharing your faith. Refuse to be interrupted and never give up. On Judgment Day, God will call you back on stage and you'll hear the words from Jesus that are more valuable than any earthly praise:
"Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master" (Matthew 25:21).
Now that is how you should finish.
Flashpoint: Ignite Into Action
This week, pay close attention to the spiritual interruptions that Satan throws your way, and think through how they could help you focus on God even more. Also, start a spiritual conversation with someone so you can share the gospel. I guarantee you'll be amazed at what distractions come your way - but that means God is working on that person's heart so resist, refuse, and watch the Holy Spirit work!
Accelerant: Feed the Fire
Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:13-14).
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile (Romans 1:16).
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints (Ephesians 6:10-18).
