Independence and Interruption Inversion

By

inversion
 
Inversion – 
The act of reversing, 
turning inside out 

or upside down.

Inversion – what has happened to my belief about my independence and how I perceive interruptions.

Independence Inversion

Most of my life when asked to identify my strengths, one answer I would give with a firm nod of my head is my independence.
My parents died when I was young. My older brothers were absent for many reasons. My independence brought me leadership opportunities, chances to learn, and affirmation from others.  I could do anything I put my mind to. I was proud to be independent.
As my spiritual journey continued and my chronological path led to a little more wisdom, I now see my independence as an obstacle to God. I think I need to be in control.
Thank you, Lord, but I can handle this one on my own. 

I’ll get back to You later when I need You. 

My trait of independence once flaunted and trotted about in all its glory, now feels heavy, weighing me down and pulling me away from God.

The whole Christian life is a life in which the further a person progresses, the more he has to depend directly on God…

The more we progress, the less we are self-sufficient.

The more we progress, the poorer we get so that the man who has progressed most, is totally poor – he has to depend directly on God.

He’s got nothing left in himself.

My belief in independence has slowly crumbled. I found its foundation weak and shallow rooted.
I loosen my grip on my independence and grab with all my might God’s grace. My belief has been inverted.

Interruptions Inversions

As I write this blog post, the phone rang three times. Sigh. Interruptions.
I used to believe that interruptions interfered with my accomplishing my precious plans for the day. I hated them. The devil invented interruptions and threw them at me like piercing darts throughout the day.
I loved caller ID, so I knew if I HAD to pick the phone up or let it go to the answering machine. I hid in my office at the back of the house, far from people and doorbells and unexpected company.
Now interruptions bless my day. I see them as surprise opportunities; maybe God-nudges at times. People are more important than my plans.
Angela on the blog Good Morning Girls wrote about how Jesus treated interruptions:
He welcomed them. Spoke with them. He healed them
She writes:

“Jesus lived His life intentionally investing in others and I want to live my life the same way.” 

Me too.
Shelly wrote on her blog: Redemptions Beauty.

“I’m starting to believe that the walls and interruptions of life are where Jesus anchors us, where He hides the surprise…Every moment is a gift, even when it’s disguised as an interruption.”

Interruptions:  God surprises.

My dislike in interruptions melts away in the light of God’s planning.
Inversion once again.
As I grow older, I let go of the constraints of false beliefs and shed the burden of heavy coverings to run free. I dance now and turn cartwheels with the Lord with His rules of the playground, not mine.
Sometimes it’s called conversion. I like the idea of inversion.
Upside down. overturned, inside out and madly in love with the Lord.

Inversion.

“One cannot live the afternoon of life according to the program of life’s morning; 
for what was great in the morning will be of little importance in the evening, 
and what in the morning was true will at evening have become a lie.”
Carl Jung

As you grow older, what has changed within you?

 

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Comments

  3. blankJean Wise says

    Thanks for stopping by my blog this weekend, Melissa. Glad we connected. These words of the year certainly do thread themselves into everything it seems.

  4. blankJean Wise says

    I’m glad we continue to connect! I seem to learn something each week new about blogging or the internet. lots to learn! Let’s learn together.

  6. blankSingle Mom in the South says

    I am learning to be less independent as well… and that it’s okay. I’ve had to be because I’ve been a single mom for 7 years. It’s really hard to let someone back in. Thankfully, that someone is patient!

    Stopping by for Saturday Shrarefes

  7. blankMelissa Edwards says

    I love how you share interruptions as God Surprises … what a great way to now look at them! I couldn’t help but notice your word for the year . . . and I think this post is a great example of how you are doing that!

    Stopping by from SITS Sharefest!

  8. blankrevdjo says

    Thought I would say hi. You commented on my blog many moons ago when I was new to blogging and working out where I was going. I have only just found your blog. I didn’t realize I could click on your name and look you up – bit of a slow learner me. Love the Merton quote it so makes sense.

  9. blankJean Wise says

    Now I know the story behind your beautiful name!
    The part about interruptions has been difficult for me too. It takes me a minute or two ( Or to be honest, some times much longer) to remember to embrace them. slowly learning….

  10. blankJean Wise says

    That prayer came straight from my mouth too. Too often I jump ahead of Him, controlling, handling, fixing things on my own. Old habits die hard don’t they?

  12. blankJean Wise says

    WOW HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIA!!!!! I pray you have a wonderful day of celebrating and many many delightful years ahead of you! I will say a special prayer tomorrow morning for you when I do my morning devotions. Yes make each day count and each day count our blessings.

  13. blankJean Wise says

    well, Hi Neighbor. I am just returning to Thought provoking Thursday to read some other posts so glad we have connected. Happy spring!

  14. blankdukeslee says

    “Thank you, Lord, but I can handle this one on my own.
    I’ll get back to You later when I need You.”

    That prayer sounds strikingly familiar. Gulp.

    Thanks again for your very good words, Jean.

  15. blankbluecottonmemory says

    I know what it is like to want to be strong, independent and not rely on anyone because life they weren’t reliable – it was like freefalling learning to rely on the Father – the inversion is like an Opposite Day thing boys tease me about – when what’s up is down. So glad we can live inversion!

  16. blankMia says

    Dear Jean
    I am turning fifty tomorrow, and I truly don’t care one bit about this. I remember when I turned thirty, I used to be worried about getting old. But our Pappa has shown me that although body gets older, the spirit gets renewed every day!
    Blessings to you
    Mia

  17. blankJViola79 says

    Loved the quote by Thomas Merton!! How very true. I am so glad that I read your post today!! I was your neighbor at Thought Provoking Thursday 🙂