Divine Interruption

"They gave our Master a crown of thorns. Why do we hope for a crown of roses?"
~ Martin Luther ~


Sandra mechanically raised her hands and sang along with the words of the praise and worship song. However, the words didn’t register in her mind. It was Sunday morning she was in church because as a Christian, that’s exactly where she was expected to be. However, she was just going through the motions. The service was having no real impact on her because although she was there in body her mind was far, far, away.

Sandra was thinking about everything that had gone wrong during the week. She carried on a silent conversation with God, as mechanically responded to everything that was going on in the service.

“Why God?” she silently asked. Why so much turmoil? Why is life so difficult right now? Why are so many things going wrong?”

While Sandra was having her one sided conversation with God, the pastor came on. She didn’t even realize at first until he read a quote he said had touched him that week. Sandra gave a surprised burst of laughter when she heard the quote not even noticing that the people around her stared in amazement. She gave her full attention to what was going on as the pastor began reading from James chapter one

2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1: 2-4

“We must go through trials,” he continued as he finished reading. “If you’ve never experienced trials in your life then you’re not growing as a Christian. It is the way you handle your trials that brings about spiritual growth and maturity."

Sandra’s eyes grew misty as her pastor made reference to Dr. Martin Luther’s quote again.

“If Jesus himself experienced hardships, why do you expect your life to be trial free?” He asked. “Remember Dr. Martin Luther’s quote as you go about your daily work this week”, he said as he quoted it again,

“They gave our Master a crown of thorns. Why do we hope for a crown of roses?”


“There you go again God,” Sandra whispered. “There you go again, stepping all over my toes, when I was just about ready to have myself a great big pity party right up in your house.”

Sandra smiled at the pastor as he greeted her on the way out. “You spoke directly to my heart today Pastor,” she said and with a quiet “thank you,” she went smiling through the door thanking God for interrupting her pity party.

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