"While he was preaching God’s word to them, four men arrived carrying a paralysed man on a mat. They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus."
Mark 2:2-4 (NLT)
I have read this passage a number of times. It was only when I was listening to a good friend preach on this passage that I really took notice of the ramifications to our contemporary services that come from this story.
As Jesus is preaching to a packed house (literally), He is interrupted by falling debris and as the dust settles, a crippled man is lowered right at His feet from a hole in the roof! With a word or two, Jesus speaks and the man leaps to his feet, completely healed.
How would I react if the situation happened today? Would I see it as a divine ministry opportunity or would I be annoyed? Would I perceive a miracle in the making, or would I be calling the police?
Inconvenience is most often God knocking on the door of our agenda.
As a worship leader, I pour over song lists and Bible Passages. I ask God what words He wants me to share. What song arrangements I should choose. I like to prepare. And yet God wants me to place my carefully-laid plans upon His altar.
Don't get me wrong - God likes good stewardship. But He loves children who follow His loving plans above their own.
At best my plans can see people spiritually enriched. But God's plans change lives forever.
This passage shows us that life-changing moments can happen through inconvenient means.