In the 1970s, Princeton conducted a study using two groups of seminary students. In the first part of the study, each group had to answer a few questions. For the second part, each group was told that they had to preach a sermon on the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) across campus in another building. Group 1 was told they were running late. Group 2 didn’t have to be in a hurry. On they way to the building, researchers planted a man slumped over who was coughing.
The results were: 63% of students in Group 2 stopped to help the man. Only 10% of the students in Group 1 offered help. The main takeaway from the study was “Ironically, a person in a hurry is less likely to help people, even if he is going to speak on the parable of the Good Samaritan.” (Princeton Study)
The opportunity that most of us don’t want to talk about and therefore fail to make the most of is the opportunity of interruption.
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For all of my fellow planners and high achievers out there, the word “interruption” makes us shutter. We see those spontaneous encounters as nuisances in our day and not opportunities.
The reason I call them opportunities is because they reveal something about the person who is asking (or occasionally demanding) for our time. They have a need. There is something they are looking for. It might be an answer to a question, advice for a problem, or just plain attention. But we have the opportunity to be apart of the solution. Howard Hendrix, the late Dallas Theological Seminary professor, would often say, “Interruptions are opportunities to help hurting people.”
“Interruptions are opportunities to help hurting people.”
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I’m not making a case that we give every interruption a significant amount of our time. We need to be wise with how we use our time, but also available to help others. Also, I’m not condoning unnecessary interruptions. I think we need to be aware and mindful of other people’s time.
With that being said, how do we make the most of interruptions?
Margin
It’s not if interruptions are going to come, it’s when. And the problem is that we usually don’t know the exact time. Therefore, we need to plan for them in our day. Our schedules should resemble a trampoline and not a brick wall. We should be able to bend and show flexibility with the different opportunities that come our way. The best way to do this is by creating margin. Think about when you get interrupted the most. Then be strategic and maybe don’t plan pressing tasks for those times. Give yourself the freedom to take a phone call or have a quick impromptu meeting.
Find the Purpose Quickly
There is always a reason, purpose, or agenda when interruptions happen. When you are interrupted, try to find that reason quickly. J. Oswald Sanders in his book Spiritual Leadership recounts a conversation he had with a busy man. The man told him that “When someone comes in, I say, ‘The Lord must have brought you here. Let us find out why He sent you.’ Well this does two things. The interview takes on new importance because God is in it. And it generally shortens the interview. If a visitor knows you are looking for reasons why God should have brought him, and there is none apparent, the visit becomes pleasant but brief.”
Learn to Say No Graciously
I don’t believe we are called to serve or help everyone that comes our way. Even Jesus said “no” to ministry opportunities. (Mark 9:35-38) The difficult part is knowing when to say “no” and when to say “yes.” There’s no formula to determine this. But this is where my faith guides me. I believe that the Lord has a calling on each of our lives, which gives us an unique identity. God’s vision for my life serves almost as a filter when it comes to opportunities and especially interruptions. It helps me know which ones to entertain and which ones to graciously decline. When an interruption comes my way that I don’t think fits with what God has called me to do, then I’ll say no, but still keeping in my mind that this person has a need. I take the time to let the person know why I can’t help them out and then try to point them in the direction of someone who can.
Even Jesus said “no” to ministry opportunities
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How do you respond to interruptions? What is one change you can make today to respond better?
Tweetable Lesson: Ironically, a person in a hurry is less likely to help people, even if he is going to speak on the parable of the Good Samaritan