Inconvenienced is not a word that should ever be used by a born-again believer when he is resting assured that what he is doing is for the glory of God, when he knows that what he has been called to do is pleasing in the Father’s eyes.
If there is one thing that most individuals detest, it is being drawn away from what they want to do, what they are trying to accomplish, and an inconvenience is an event that hinders the movements that we had planned. They are almost always unforeseen circumstances, a flat tire, an unexpected knock on the door, the phone ringing at what we would call an inopportune time, they are seen as hindrances to the path placed in front of us. Herein is the patience of the saints, (Rev. 14:12) “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) So then, this supposed inconvenience is either brought to or allowed by God to fall upon us, it is only our perceptions of these unforeseen events that can be altered, no man can change the plans of God.
There are many works being performed by some who profess Him as Lord that have absolutely no bearing, that are not for the glory of Almighty God, but for our own self-interest. They are performed by those who desire an uplifting emotional feeling, that need to either be seen by others or to convince themselves of their salvation, to these, an inconvenience is a dreaded experience, for it takes away from what they believe they should be doing, when in fact many times it is the Lord attempting to show them that they are on the wrong path. The spiritually proud fall into this category, to be approached by a poor, lost sinner asking for nothing more than an ear to listen while he is on his way to church would be an inconvenience, for he has a duty to perform, and this lost soul will just have to wait for another day, a day when he is not so busy.
Every one of us has done this, we do not have time to talk, because supper is on the table, we must get to the store so the phone cannot be answered, “I have plans that do not include you, do not impede me from my appointed task.” We want to do what we feel we need to do, and many times these things do not bring glory to God. “Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.” (Prov. 3:28) “I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.” (Luke 11:8)
Turn the tables here, we are told to knock and the door will be opened, (Matt. 7:7) are we expecting the Lord to stop everything He is doing to attend to our every desire, do we not keep knocking, wanting what we think we need. This is the reason many will not serve whole heartedly no matter the circumstances, but expect God to jump at their beck and call, and so when He does not, we do the same, we walk on the other side of the street while the man lies dying over there. It is the reason that many who call Christ Lord will not take the time to witness to the lost, to truly carry their brother’s burdens with them, they cannot be inconvenienced from the supposed path they are on.
Perhaps one of the closest truths to this area are those who say they will pray for you, but just simply could not find the time to do so. Those who cannot be inconvenienced by the work of the Lord are deluded in their faith at the least, and at the most could be considered hypocritical, they are blinded to the path they should be on, the one of selfless service. Time does not matter my friends, only life matters, those who are saved know their lives to be nothing but a passing mist, eternity awaits, and there will be no rush, but we must consider who it is we serve, and above all we must never feel as if anything that He requires of us is an inconvenience. “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb. 12:2) Be an active participant, for His glory set aside your plans and desires every and anytime He asks you to.
