Slideshow image

Have you ever had a time when nothing went according to plan? When everything seemed to be going smoothly—until suddenly, it wasn’t? As I look back on my life, it feels like it’s been full of interruptions. At 7 years old, I never imagined living anywhere else but South Korea. In fact, I didn’t even know I was moving to the United States until the day before we left. From that moment on, I became a planner. I craved a sense of control because so much of my life felt chaotic and unpredictable.

But when I entered ministry, I quickly learned that no amount of planning could account for everything. I would carefully lay out my weekly schedule like things to accomplish, tasks to check off—only to find that plans often changed due to unexpected needs or emergencies. I remember sharing my frustration with Rev. Mary, and she gently reminded me: “That is ministry. Those interruptions are opportunities for ministry.”

That perspective stayed with me. It caused me to reflect more deeply—not just on my work, but on my life. I realized that I had always viewed interruptions as something negative, something that pulled me away from what should be happening. But in truth, some of the most sacred moments in my life happened in those interruptions. It was in the pain, grief, confusion, and loss that I found myself crying out to God—and those were the times I felt closest to God. In my vulnerability, God met me.

I’m reminded of the story of Mary and Martha. Martha was busy, working hard to host Jesus, while Mary sat at his feet, simply being with him. Frustrated, Martha asked Jesus to correct her sister. But Jesus responded, “Mary has chosen the better part.” How often do we get caught up in what we think needs to get done—what we believe is most important—only to miss the deeper invitation to simply be with God?

We may feel discouraged when life doesn’t go according to our expectations. But God often works outside of our carefully laid plans. God’s presence is not confined to structure or schedules—it breaks through in unexpected moments. So, whether your life is unfolding exactly as planned or feels completely off-course, don’t miss what truly matters: your walk with God. God is present—not just in our plans, but especially in the interruptions.
 
Pastor Tae Park
16 Then he told them a parable: “The land of a ric