July 9, 2025 • 32 mins
In this final episode of our three-part series The Real Thing, we talk about something we often resist—God’s holy disruptions. Using the story of Zacchaeus, we explore how Jesus didn’t just stop by for a visit, but invited him into something lasting. The word used is meno—to abide—and it changes everything. This wasn’t about tweaking a few behaviors; it was an invitation to step out of hiding and into real relationship.
This was a difficult conversation to have. We share honestly about the struggle of letting go of control and embracing God’s interruptions, including a tender story about a dog named Sevy. From the bleeding woman to Saul’s blinding light, we reflect on how Jesus often disrupts before He restores. With breath prayers and practical tools, we invite you to consider where He might be gently disrupting your own “almost” life. If you're craving support in that process, join our private online community at revelationwithin.org.
Learn more about our Revelation Within Community: https://www.revelationwithin.org
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
Hi and welcome to our podcast Revelation Within On
the Go.
I'm Heidi Biles-Maepperson, oneof your hosts and the owner and
lead coach of theRevelationWithinorg ministry.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
And I'm Christina Motley, your other host, also a
Revelation Within coach andHeidi's partner in all things
Revelation Within, and we're sohappy to invite you to join us
for this episode of RevelationWithin on the go.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
Oh well, welcome to our third and final episode in
this series.
Yes, the Real Thing, letting Goof Almosts and Living.
F episode in this series yes,the real thing, letting go of
almosts and living fully inChrist, love it.
In this series we've beenlooking at the difference
between just getting by,managing life and truly living,
between that almost andabundance.
(01:01):
Yes, today we're going to talkabout how Jesus often brings
freedom through something quiteunexpected Disruption.
Yeah, you can't relate to that,can you?
Speaker 2 (01:12):
Christina Is something going on outside right
now.
Speaker 1 (01:17):
We tend to have this idea that peace comes through
calm, the absence of people.
But what if sometimes it startswith a holy interruption?
Speaker 2 (01:29):
Sometimes life feels like it's just one interruption
after the other, doesn't it?
Yes, definitely, sometimes it'slike where did that peace and
calm go?
I've lost it.
I'm going to go ahead and openwith a little bit of a prayer.
Lord Jesus, we invite you rightnow into this space.
We ask for ears to hear you andhearts soft enough to be
(01:52):
disrupted in the best way.
Lord, open our eyes to what youhave for us today.
Open our hearts and our mindsin Jesus name, Amen.
Speaker 1 (02:05):
Amen, thanks for that .
Yeah, all right.
Well, let's jump right on intoscripture.
This is a powerful moment.
From scripture.
Luke 19, verses one to 10,tells the story of Zacchaeus,
and rather than reading all theverses, I'll highlight some and
do some commentary, just soy'all know where we are.
Zacchaeus was a wealthy taxcollector, and it's so
(02:29):
interesting to me.
Tax collectors were such a bigbig thing in those days.
They were hated and despisedand they were rich, oh my
goodness.
But Zacchaeus was curious aboutJesus and he probably didn't
ever expect an actualface-to-face, one-on-one
encounter with him.
(02:49):
And then this happened,according to verse five in Luke
19,.
When Jesus reached the spot, helooked up.
Now, zacchaeus was in a treewatching.
And he said Jesus said Zacchaeus, come down immediately.
I must stay at your house today.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
What, what?
That man in the tree?
Speaker 1 (03:14):
Yeah Well, and the story goes that Zacchaeus was
kind of a smaller in statureperson who couldn't see what all
the crowd was going on about.
He knew Jesus was at the heartof it.
So he climbed this tree andJesus like zeroed in on him and
said Zacchaeus, come on down,let's go to your house and
(03:34):
partay.
Speaker 2 (03:38):
I love it.
Speaker 1 (03:39):
Jesus kind of basically interrupts Zacchaeus'
hiding place.
He didn't wait for aninvitation, he just gave one.
Jesus gave an invitation.
Yes, I love that, love that,love that.
So let's dive into this alittle bit more.
This word stay at your housetoday, and that's in the Greek,
(04:01):
it's meno.
The word Jesus uses here for Imust stay at your house comes
from this Greek word, whichmeans to abide, remain, dwell
continually.
Wow, what, there it is again,oh my goodness.
And it's actually the same wordthat we're pretty familiar with
(04:23):
from John 15, when Jesus saysabide in me and I will abide in
you.
I find this fascinating.
I don't know.
It's not a pop-in visit, it'snot a quick hit and run.
It's intended that it be a newway of life, a permanent shift,
and it started with a divinedisruption.
(04:43):
You may think you're hiding upthere in that tree, but guess
what I'm coming to?
Speaker 2 (04:51):
your house today, right Exactly.
Oh, I love it.
It's such a good story.
And it's so fun to imagine it,you know, just happening, yeah.
So, thinking about this and I'mthinking about this right now,
as we're talking about it hasJesus ever interrupted your
normal, even a?
Speaker 1 (05:11):
broken normal?
Well, and what is normal?
But a setting on my dryer?
I mean seriously.
Speaker 2 (05:17):
Exactly.
But you plan your day, you'vegot your calendar out, you've
got your list.
You're going to do work overhere, we're going to have this.
We've got to list.
You know you're, you're goingto do work over here, we're
going to have this, we've got torun these errands, pick up,
so-and-so.
We have kind of what we see asour normal life and then there's
an interruption and you knowit's like, oh no, well, what's
(05:39):
well, what is this?
What you know, and we canrespond different ways.
But what if Jesus actuallyinterrupts our normal?
What if that's from him?
It might be a health scare, itmight be a moment of conviction,
a conversation that justwouldn't leave your heart, okay.
So I remember a moment likethis.
(06:00):
I remember a moment like this.
It was a few years ago, heidi.
You had this amazing dog who waswith you for about a year.
I remember when I first metSavvy her name was Savvy, like
seven, because she was theseventh dog, not for you, heidi,
(06:22):
but for the previous owner.
Not for you, heidi, but for theprevious owner, um, and because
you and Michael were leaving togo to Catalina Island and you
couldn't take animals with you,you gave Seve to us and we loved
Seve and Seve loved us.
There will never be another doglike Seve.
Oh my gosh, she was amazing.
She was so special, she was sosweet, she was so special, she
(06:46):
was so sweet, she was so, um,just all about us.
And that was during COVID.
We really needed her.
My youngest daughter was goingthrough a tough, tough time and
Seve slept with her on her bedevery night.
Anyway, there was this moment.
So we're going along, we'regoing along, life is going along
, we're working, we're doing ourthings.
(07:07):
And Seve got sick.
And you know, she was one ofour kind of rock solid like
let's walk Seve, let's snuggleSeve, let's sit with Seve, you
know.
And so for her to get sick,especially, was just a really
big deal.
And we took her to the vet andfound out that she had Lyme
(07:30):
disease, which is just so crazy,because that's what I have, um,
and so we're.
We were both from California Iwas from Southern California
where I was bit by my tick, andSeve in Northern California.
But it was this moment of totalinterruption, like wait a minute
(07:53):
, where did this come from?
This is like coming from leftfield.
And what does it mean when adog has Lyme disease?
Well, it's different thanpeople.
It means that their kidneys aredamaged when they have a flare
up and there's no way to fix it,which means that her life will
be shorter, and we weren't evensure if she would make it
(08:16):
through this one, but she did.
We had her for three years,which feels really short right
now, but, boy, we love thosethree years.
We loved it.
But that was an example of oneof those interruptions where
life just happens out of leftfield and it's like what is this
(08:37):
about, lord?
What are you doing through this?
Sometimes we know, sometimes wesee it, and other times we
don't.
What I do know is that Seve wasan incredible gift to our
family for those three years,and she was an incredible gift
for you, heidi, for one year, ohyeah.
And so we both had her forshort times, but boy was she a
(09:00):
blessing, and I have to admit, Iloved having a Lyme buddy.
I did.
You know there was a camaraderiethere.
I just appreciated.
It felt like God was sayingthis is just for right now, for
this season.
What a blessing she was to us.
Speaker 1 (09:18):
Yay, I know we're both crying.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
I loved her.
I can't wait to see her again,and we will.
We'll see her again.
That's that's what I believe.
Yeah, so it was disruptive.
It was not what we ever wouldhave expected, or?
Speaker 1 (09:38):
wanted, of course.
Speaker 2 (09:40):
Right, but boy, she was such a gift to us, that
precious, precious dog.
Speaker 1 (09:47):
Yeah, you know what she was kind of like a
ministering angel.
I mean, really, covid for allof us was hard, but can you
imagine being a teenager duringthat?
Oh, the fact that she bonded sowell with your daughter and
it's like God, I could picturehim planning it.
He knew COVID was coming.
(10:09):
He knew how hard COVID would befor your daughter and he's I'm
going to give a littleministering angel to that family
, both for Christina and herLyme disease, yeah, and also
that precious sweet daughter ofyours who I love dearly.
I'm so glad that Seve was ableto be a part of her
(10:31):
encouragement and comfort.
So when she got that diagnosis,it's like life came to a
screeching halt.
What's this going to meanExactly?
Oh, my word.
Speaker 2 (10:40):
And I know that we have all experienced things like
that.
Maybe you're experiencingsomething like that right now.
Speaker 1 (10:47):
Well, how about you lead us in a breath prayer.
Speaker 2 (10:49):
Yeah, so I've got this beautiful breath prayer to
share and it's just so simplebut wow, so, so healing, it's
like like honey for our souls.
I heard someone say that theother day and I'm, I'm using it
now all the time it's like honeyfor my souls.
I heard someone say that theother day and I'm, I'm using it
now all the time it's like honeyfor my soul.
Um, so we're going to inhaleand say Jesus, disrupt what
(11:12):
needs disrupting.
And then we're going to exhaleand say so, I can abide with you
.
And then we're going to inhaleand say you are welcome here.
And then we're going to inhaleand say you are welcome here.
And then we're going to exhaleand say even if it changes every
I'm not reading that, I am notpraying that one.
(11:37):
No no, no what?
Even if it changes everything?
No, All right.
Okay.
So take a deep breath and sayJesus, disrupt what needs
disrupting Jesus.
Speaker 1 (11:57):
disrupt what needs disrupting.
Speaker 2 (12:01):
Breathe out and say so, I can abide with you.
Speaker 1 (12:08):
So I can abide with you.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
We'll do that one one more time.
Inhale, Jesus.
Disrupt what needs disrupting.
Exhale, so I can abide with you.
Speaker 1 (12:33):
That's a good one.
All right, now let's continuewith breath praying.
This time we're going to inhaledeeply and say you are welcome
here, inhale, you are welcomehere and exhale, even if it
(12:57):
changes everything.
I hope it doesn't, though,lorna.
Even if it changes everything,I hope it doesn't, though, lord,
I can't do that one today, allright.
Let's inhale again.
You are welcome here, inhale.
Speaker 2 (13:15):
You can do that you are welcome here.
Even if it changes everything.
Even if it changes everything.
Speaker 1 (13:24):
One more time for good measure, inhale.
You are welcome here, you arewelcome here.
Even if it changes everything,oh my goodness.
So let's look at the rich youngruler in Mark, chapter 10,
(13:46):
verses 17 to 22.
And again, I won't read thewhole entire passage, but you
are welcome to refer to it.
The rich young ruler asks Jesuswhat must I do to inherit
eternal life?
You know he's checked all theboxes.
But Jesus sees deeper and saysone thing you lack just one,
(14:08):
just one.
Speaker 2 (14:09):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (14:10):
Sell everything you have and give to the poor.
Then come, follow me.
And here's the heartbreakingpart, of course, the scripture
goes on to say in verse 22 atthis, the man's face fell.
He went away sad because he hadgreat wealth.
(14:33):
Jesus didn't scold him, thoughthat's really a cool thing to
notice, right?
Yes, jesus loved him, but lovesometimes disrupts us.
It kind of puts it on the linefor us.
Speaker 2 (14:47):
It does.
Well, I should maybe just say alittle word about why I'm
having such a hard time withthis topic today.
I'm having a little bit of akind of a question mark health
crisis going on, and I don'treally know what's happening,
and so I'm having some fearabout that, and so it is hard to
think about these things.
Am I going to have a disruptionthat changes everything, or
(15:11):
will it not be a big deal?
I don't know.
I'll know next week.
So just being real, just beinghonest, that's why I'm having a
hard time with this, but I dowant what God wants.
I do want his holyinterruptions.
It's just hard, it's hard tosurrender.
Speaker 1 (15:29):
One of the good things you know in saying, even
if it changes everything, weknow that God's motivations for
what he does are driven by hislove.
I mean everything.
The backdrop of it I've saidthis so many times is the cross
of Christ, which was theultimate expression of God's
(15:50):
love for us.
He sacrificed Jesus for us.
So whatever he allows orwhatever he does to disrupt our
lives, even if it changeseverything, it's with the
intention of showing us that heloves us.
It is total, complete love.
It says in Romans 8 somewhere Idon't know the exact verse.
(16:10):
But he who gave up everything,including his son, how will he
not also, along with him,graciously give us all things?
And we know it doesn't mean allthings like.
You know a catalog of cars thatI, you know, exotic cars buy
this one, buy that one, or here,get a horse and get the special
saddle for it.
(16:32):
No, no, no it's.
He wants to graciously give usall we need for the life he's
called us to Right.
Yes, but nevertheless, this manwent away sad.
Yes, he did.
Let's look at this word sad inthe Greek, and it's.
The word in Greek is stignazo,and it means to be shocked into
(16:54):
gloom, not just disappointed,but he's deeply disturbed.
I find it fascinating that it'slike this shocked into that
gloom.
Yes, and it's only used oneother time in the new Testament
and it's describing thePharisees reaction to Jesus's
authority.
It's like Whoa, that's a bummer.
(17:15):
Jesus has all authority and thePharisees, who were stuck on
having the control and havingthe power and the authority with
the people, were shocked intothis gloom over Jesus's
authority.
Hopefully, the thought ofJesus's authority doesn't shock
(17:35):
us into gloom but gives us joy.
I know it brings me a lot ofpeace when I'm in the right
place in my head, but disruptioncan feel like grief when we're
clinging to our almosts Almostthat's for sure.
Let's do a different episodetoday.
Speaker 2 (17:57):
This is just like can we just do, lord I love?
Let's just do gratitude.
Yeah, well, going back toZacchaeus, jesus didn't just
disrupt Zacchaeus or the richyoung ruler.
He interrupted Martha'sperfectionism.
(18:17):
He stopped in his tracks when ableeding woman reached for his
robe.
I mean going back to thesestories in the word, it's like,
wow, he stilled a storm, but notbefore letting it rage.
And then what else?
Well, he flipped temple tables,he changed travel plans on
dusty roads.
(18:37):
He blinded Saul so he couldfinally see.
He disrupted ordinary lives andoffered extraordinary
transformation.
That's what God does.
He does it all over his word.
It's recorded there for us tosee.
It's part of who he is, it'spart of his way, it's part of
(18:58):
his character, it is how he,it's like his MO.
Speaker 1 (19:05):
So let's dive a little bit more deeply into a
couple of these instances, like,for instance, with the woman
with the issue of blood.
In Luke 8, 43 to 48, jesusstopped everything I mean he
stopped everything and said whotouched me?
And then he called her daughter, which is a validation and
affirmation of his love for her,and he tells her to take heart.
(19:28):
So the word that is translatedtake heart in this passage, or
have courage is tharsay, andit's used by Jesus when he's
giving her divine reassurance inthe face of her fear.
You got to love that.
How many of us have experiencedfear and to know that Jesus is
(19:49):
putting upon us his reassurance.
He knows everything and it's inthe face of our fear.
What was also going on with thewoman with the issue of blood
is it was a public disruption ofher private shame and that set
her free.
Speaker 2 (20:08):
Yes, and then the story of calming the storm.
In Mark, chapter four, verses35 to 41, jesus leads the
disciples right into a storm.
I mean, that's what he does.
He knows the storm is going tobe there.
He knows that.
The disciples right into astorm.
I mean that's what he does.
He knows the storm is going tobe there.
He knows that the disciples aregoing to be actually really
afraid and he's going to let thestorm rage while he takes a nap
(20:33):
, lord what?
And then, after some time haspassed and the disciples are
freaking out and they're likeLord, lord.
And then he calms it.
I mean, why did he do that?
Why did he do that?
As we kind of look at it moreclosely, we see that the storm
(20:57):
wasn't the disruption.
His calm was the disruption.
They said who is this?
Even the wind and waves obeyhim.
If he had done this in adifferent order, if he had, you
know, had this event happen in adifferent way, they wouldn't
have seen who he really was.
(21:18):
And that was the plan, that wasthe goal and he really brought
his point home.
He really did.
Speaker 1 (21:26):
Yeah.
So the other one is Mary andMartha.
In Luke 10, verses 38 to 42.
And this, of course, you know,jesus says, you know, martha is
busy doing all kinds ofpreparations and Mary is just
kind of sitting at Jesus's feetenthralled with his every word,
(21:47):
and Martha complains to Jesusabout it.
A real gutsy lady and he saysMartha, martha, you were worried
about many things.
So this word worried is in theGreek.
It's actually means to bepulled apart by anxiety.
(22:07):
Whoa, that's intense Sometimes.
Jesus is going to interrupteven our service done for him.
So we'll return to his feet andbe still and know.
Speaker 2 (22:20):
Yeah, these are tough truths, Heidi.
I mean they're good, god isgood, but yeah, these are tough.
So then we have the story ofthe temple tables from John,
chapter 2, verses 13 through 17.
So in this story, jesusactually flips tables.
He's angry, he's angry, he'supset, he drives out the money
(22:45):
changers and he calls outcorruption.
I mean, this was a louddisruption.
This was kind of a big deal.
I imagine what it was like tobe there and see Jesus doing
this.
But it was loud, it was adisruption, but it was holy.
He was restoring a sacred space.
Speaker 1 (23:09):
I love that Really when we can look past the
offense, kind of like the richyoung ruler, we can look past
the offense instead of walkingaway sad or in deep gloom going
okay, he's restoring somethingthat needs restoring.
If we can kind of go along withthat idea yes.
(23:29):
So another instance where Jesusdefinitely disrupted the life
of somebody is in.
Acts chapter nine verses one to19.
And this is where Saul, oftenknown as Paul, was converted and
was shown that.
(23:49):
I mean well, jesus blinded Saulso that Saul could see, see
more clearly what was going on,to see him.
And sometimes the most lovingthing Jesus can do is stop us
dead in our tracks, and we needto stop if he stops us and and
ask him what can I dodifferently?
(24:11):
What do you need?
Are you here, lord?
What is it that you're doing?
Speaker 2 (24:15):
Yeah, and in the moment it's hard to be open to
something like that.
It's easy to say it, but in themoment it's like okay, am I
open?
Is my heart soft enough toreceive this?
Am I listening?
And it's hard, it's hardsometimes.
Speaker 1 (24:34):
It is hard.
Yeah, we're not pretending anyof this is easy.
No, we're not.
Speaker 2 (24:42):
Okay, let's go ahead and do another breath prayer.
We're going to inhale and sayeven disruption is mercy.
We're going to exhale and saywhen it comes from you, um, so
again breath prayer.
You know, it's just breathing,with being able to say a truth,
breathing in and out, and ithelps us to get to that place of
(25:04):
having a softened heart towardthe Lord.
It reminds us we're renewingour mind with truth and calming
our bodies at the same time.
So let's do that right now.
Let's breathe in and say evendisruption is mercy.
(25:25):
Breathe out when it comes fromyou.
One more time, breathe in Evendisruption is mercy.
Speaker 1 (25:45):
Even disruption is mercy.
Breathe out when it comes fromyou.
It comes from you.
Ask yourself maybe, where isJesus disrupting you right now?
And invite him to show you Lord, where is it that you are
disrupting me right now?
And then you can ask him alsoto show you what discomfort have
(26:07):
I been resisting?
Ooh, this is a good one for meright now, because I know that
I've been resisting all you knowsome things he wants to do in
my life.
And then consider this couldthis be the beginning of
transformation?
Wow, yeah.
And if you want to take it intoa little bit of a journaling
(26:28):
activity or a written activity,you can write out Jesus, you are
disrupting and then fill in theblank there.
Speaker 2 (26:38):
And.
Speaker 1 (26:38):
I choose to trust you in it.
I'm going to say that again.
Jesus, you are disrupting blankand I choose to trust you in it
.
Speaker 2 (26:52):
Okay, so here are just a few simple ways, kind of
something that you can grab ahold of and do this later today
or later this weekend.
The first one is light a candleand just kind of make space.
Make space to have a little bitof quiet with the Lord.
Let it represent welcomingJesus into whatever it is that
(27:15):
you're struggling with.
So the second one is to namethe disruption and then just say
this truth out loud.
This discomfort might be holy,just as a way to kind of open
yourself up to the possibilitythat God might be using it to do
some transformation in yourlife.
That will be very beautiful.
(27:35):
In the end, this discomfortmight be holy.
Oh boy, and then the third oneis ask for abiding.
So talk to God, maybe in thisway, have a conversation with
him, say don't just visit Lord,stay with me here.
And of course he does, and ofcourse he is and he never leaves
(27:57):
us.
But sometimes just saying wordslike that are so helpful in our
trust relationship with theLord.
Don't just visit Lord.
Speaker 1 (28:07):
Stay with me here this episode is yeah, this one
has been tough for me.
And tough for you too.
Oh well, and here we go.
Jesus loves us way too much toleave us in our comfort zones,
doesn't he?
Speaker 2 (28:26):
Yes, he does seem to yeah comfort zone.
Speaker 1 (28:30):
Are you kidding me?
No, let's kick you to get outof it, kick you to get you, get
out of it.
He's kind of always calling usto go deeper, farther still,
fuller and freer.
Speaker 2 (28:45):
I just wish that I could do the fuller and freer
and deeper without the morepainful you know like you know,
so many years my prayers werekind of always the same, were
kind of always the same Lord,bring smooth sailing.
Lord, bring a season of peace.
Lord, fix this and end thistrouble and figure out this
(29:12):
problem.
But maybe, maybe what we shouldbe praying is you know, give us
what we need, give us an openheart, a soft heart, eyes to see
your thoughts, so that we canpersevere through the difficult
times and be transformed in theway that you will for us.
I mean, that's a big shift inprayer types, yeah it is, that's
(29:34):
challenging.
So I wanted to mention also thatwhen you're ready to respond,
we do have a place for that.
Our private online community isa space where people are
letting Jesus in every singleday.
We are doing this, we arepracticing this, we are praying
for each other, we are lovingeach other and we are pointing
(29:57):
each other to Jesus.
Disruptions and all.
Speaker 1 (30:00):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (30:01):
You can try it free for a month at
wwwrevelationwithinorg.
Come and visit us.
We would love to see you there.
Speaker 1 (30:12):
Thanks for sharing that.
And you know I gosh.
Maybe what feels likedisruption is really an
invitation.
I've got to wrap my brainaround that a little bit again
and again.
Maybe he's already right thereat our door, you know, knocking
so gently and lovingly, wantingto be let in.
Speaker 2 (30:34):
I'm going to go ahead and close this in prayer,
because it does seem like wereally need it, heidi and I, for
this podcast.
Lord Jesus, thank you for beingbold enough to interrupt us.
Thank you, lord, that you loveus so much that you want to go
deeper with us.
Help us, lord, not to be afraid, not to run from it.
(30:58):
Disrupt what you need to, andstay with us in the change, in
the transformation.
Our hope is in you, in Jesusname.
Speaker 1 (31:10):
Amen, you know.
Thank you, listener, forputting up with us today.
Yeah, For walking with us.
You know, let's trade managingfor abiding.
I know it'll be well, it'strading almost for abundance,
which is the life that Jesuscame for us we're going to trade
control for Christ, and that'sa good thing.
Speaker 2 (31:31):
Yes, and we're so glad that you've been here today
with us as we grappled withthis difficult but so important
topic, and we would love for youto join us at our next episode
of revelation within bye, bye,see you next time.
Hi and welcome to our podcast Revelation Within On
the Go.
I'm Heidi Biles-Maepperson, oneof your hosts and the owner and
lead coach of theRevelationWithinorg ministry.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
And I'm Christina Motley, your other host, also a
Revelation Within coach andHeidi's partner in all things
Revelation Within, and we're sohappy to invite you to join us
for this episode of RevelationWithin on the go.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
Oh well, welcome to our third and final episode in
this series.
Yes, the Real Thing, letting Goof Almosts and Living.
F episode in this series yes,the real thing, letting go of
almosts and living fully inChrist, love it.
In this series we've beenlooking at the difference
between just getting by,managing life and truly living,
between that almost andabundance.
(01:01):
Yes, today we're going to talkabout how Jesus often brings
freedom through something quiteunexpected Disruption.
Yeah, you can't relate to that,can you?
Speaker 2 (01:12):
Christina Is something going on outside right
now.
Speaker 1 (01:17):
We tend to have this idea that peace comes through
calm, the absence of people.
But what if sometimes it startswith a holy interruption?
Speaker 2 (01:29):
Sometimes life feels like it's just one interruption
after the other, doesn't it?
Yes, definitely, sometimes it'slike where did that peace and
calm go?
I've lost it.
I'm going to go ahead and openwith a little bit of a prayer.
Lord Jesus, we invite you rightnow into this space.
We ask for ears to hear you andhearts soft enough to be
(01:52):
disrupted in the best way.
Lord, open our eyes to what youhave for us today.
Open our hearts and our mindsin Jesus name, Amen.
Speaker 1 (02:05):
Amen, thanks for that .
Yeah, all right.
Well, let's jump right on intoscripture.
This is a powerful moment.
From scripture.
Luke 19, verses one to 10,tells the story of Zacchaeus,
and rather than reading all theverses, I'll highlight some and
do some commentary, just soy'all know where we are.
Zacchaeus was a wealthy taxcollector, and it's so
(02:29):
interesting to me.
Tax collectors were such a bigbig thing in those days.
They were hated and despisedand they were rich, oh my
goodness.
But Zacchaeus was curious aboutJesus and he probably didn't
ever expect an actualface-to-face, one-on-one
encounter with him.
(02:49):
And then this happened,according to verse five in Luke
19,.
When Jesus reached the spot, helooked up.
Now, zacchaeus was in a treewatching.
And he said Jesus said Zacchaeus, come down immediately.
I must stay at your house today.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
What, what?
That man in the tree?
Speaker 1 (03:14):
Yeah Well, and the story goes that Zacchaeus was
kind of a smaller in statureperson who couldn't see what all
the crowd was going on about.
He knew Jesus was at the heartof it.
So he climbed this tree andJesus like zeroed in on him and
said Zacchaeus, come on down,let's go to your house and
(03:34):
partay.
Speaker 2 (03:38):
I love it.
Speaker 1 (03:39):
Jesus kind of basically interrupts Zacchaeus'
hiding place.
He didn't wait for aninvitation, he just gave one.
Jesus gave an invitation.
Yes, I love that, love that,love that.
So let's dive into this alittle bit more.
This word stay at your housetoday, and that's in the Greek,
(04:01):
it's meno.
The word Jesus uses here for Imust stay at your house comes
from this Greek word, whichmeans to abide, remain, dwell
continually.
Wow, what, there it is again,oh my goodness.
And it's actually the same wordthat we're pretty familiar with
(04:23):
from John 15, when Jesus saysabide in me and I will abide in
you.
I find this fascinating.
I don't know.
It's not a pop-in visit, it'snot a quick hit and run.
It's intended that it be a newway of life, a permanent shift,
and it started with a divinedisruption.
(04:43):
You may think you're hiding upthere in that tree, but guess
what I'm coming to?
Speaker 2 (04:51):
your house today, right Exactly.
Oh, I love it.
It's such a good story.
And it's so fun to imagine it,you know, just happening, yeah.
So, thinking about this and I'mthinking about this right now,
as we're talking about it hasJesus ever interrupted your
normal, even a?
Speaker 1 (05:11):
broken normal?
Well, and what is normal?
But a setting on my dryer?
I mean seriously.
Speaker 2 (05:17):
Exactly.
But you plan your day, you'vegot your calendar out, you've
got your list.
You're going to do work overhere, we're going to have this.
We've got to list.
You know you're, you're goingto do work over here, we're
going to have this, we've got torun these errands, pick up,
so-and-so.
We have kind of what we see asour normal life and then there's
an interruption and you knowit's like, oh no, well, what's
(05:39):
well, what is this?
What you know, and we canrespond different ways.
But what if Jesus actuallyinterrupts our normal?
What if that's from him?
It might be a health scare, itmight be a moment of conviction,
a conversation that justwouldn't leave your heart, okay.
So I remember a moment likethis.
(06:00):
I remember a moment like this.
It was a few years ago, heidi.
You had this amazing dog who waswith you for about a year.
I remember when I first metSavvy her name was Savvy, like
seven, because she was theseventh dog, not for you, heidi,
(06:22):
but for the previous owner.
Not for you, heidi, but for theprevious owner, um, and because
you and Michael were leaving togo to Catalina Island and you
couldn't take animals with you,you gave Seve to us and we loved
Seve and Seve loved us.
There will never be another doglike Seve.
Oh my gosh, she was amazing.
She was so special, she was sosweet, she was so special, she
(06:46):
was so sweet, she was so, um,just all about us.
And that was during COVID.
We really needed her.
My youngest daughter was goingthrough a tough, tough time and
Seve slept with her on her bedevery night.
Anyway, there was this moment.
So we're going along, we'regoing along, life is going along
, we're working, we're doing ourthings.
(07:07):
And Seve got sick.
And you know, she was one ofour kind of rock solid like
let's walk Seve, let's snuggleSeve, let's sit with Seve, you
know.
And so for her to get sick,especially, was just a really
big deal.
And we took her to the vet andfound out that she had Lyme
(07:30):
disease, which is just so crazy,because that's what I have, um,
and so we're.
We were both from California Iwas from Southern California
where I was bit by my tick, andSeve in Northern California.
But it was this moment of totalinterruption, like wait a minute
(07:53):
, where did this come from?
This is like coming from leftfield.
And what does it mean when adog has Lyme disease?
Well, it's different thanpeople.
It means that their kidneys aredamaged when they have a flare
up and there's no way to fix it,which means that her life will
be shorter, and we weren't evensure if she would make it
(08:16):
through this one, but she did.
We had her for three years,which feels really short right
now, but, boy, we love thosethree years.
We loved it.
But that was an example of oneof those interruptions where
life just happens out of leftfield and it's like what is this
(08:37):
about, lord?
What are you doing through this?
Sometimes we know, sometimes wesee it, and other times we
don't.
What I do know is that Seve wasan incredible gift to our
family for those three years,and she was an incredible gift
for you, heidi, for one year, ohyeah.
And so we both had her forshort times, but boy was she a
(09:00):
blessing, and I have to admit, Iloved having a Lyme buddy.
I did.
You know there was a camaraderiethere.
I just appreciated.
It felt like God was sayingthis is just for right now, for
this season.
What a blessing she was to us.
Speaker 1 (09:18):
Yay, I know we're both crying.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
I loved her.
I can't wait to see her again,and we will.
We'll see her again.
That's that's what I believe.
Yeah, so it was disruptive.
It was not what we ever wouldhave expected, or?
Speaker 1 (09:38):
wanted, of course.
Speaker 2 (09:40):
Right, but boy, she was such a gift to us, that
precious, precious dog.
Speaker 1 (09:47):
Yeah, you know what she was kind of like a
ministering angel.
I mean, really, covid for allof us was hard, but can you
imagine being a teenager duringthat?
Oh, the fact that she bonded sowell with your daughter and
it's like God, I could picturehim planning it.
He knew COVID was coming.
(10:09):
He knew how hard COVID would befor your daughter and he's I'm
going to give a littleministering angel to that family
, both for Christina and herLyme disease, yeah, and also
that precious sweet daughter ofyours who I love dearly.
I'm so glad that Seve was ableto be a part of her
(10:31):
encouragement and comfort.
So when she got that diagnosis,it's like life came to a
screeching halt.
What's this going to meanExactly?
Oh, my word.
Speaker 2 (10:40):
And I know that we have all experienced things like
that.
Maybe you're experiencingsomething like that right now.
Speaker 1 (10:47):
Well, how about you lead us in a breath prayer.
Speaker 2 (10:49):
Yeah, so I've got this beautiful breath prayer to
share and it's just so simplebut wow, so, so healing, it's
like like honey for our souls.
I heard someone say that theother day and I'm, I'm using it
now all the time it's like honeyfor my souls.
I heard someone say that theother day and I'm, I'm using it
now all the time it's like honeyfor my soul.
Um, so we're going to inhaleand say Jesus, disrupt what
(11:12):
needs disrupting.
And then we're going to exhaleand say so, I can abide with you
.
And then we're going to inhaleand say you are welcome here.
And then we're going to inhaleand say you are welcome here.
And then we're going to exhaleand say even if it changes every
I'm not reading that, I am notpraying that one.
(11:37):
No no, no what?
Even if it changes everything?
No, All right.
Okay.
So take a deep breath and sayJesus, disrupt what needs
disrupting Jesus.
Speaker 1 (11:57):
disrupt what needs disrupting.
Speaker 2 (12:01):
Breathe out and say so, I can abide with you.
Speaker 1 (12:08):
So I can abide with you.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
We'll do that one one more time.
Inhale, Jesus.
Disrupt what needs disrupting.
Exhale, so I can abide with you.
Speaker 1 (12:33):
That's a good one.
All right, now let's continuewith breath praying.
This time we're going to inhaledeeply and say you are welcome
here, inhale, you are welcomehere and exhale, even if it
(12:57):
changes everything.
I hope it doesn't, though,lorna.
Even if it changes everything,I hope it doesn't, though, lord,
I can't do that one today, allright.
Let's inhale again.
You are welcome here, inhale.
Speaker 2 (13:15):
You can do that you are welcome here.
Even if it changes everything.
Even if it changes everything.
Speaker 1 (13:24):
One more time for good measure, inhale.
You are welcome here, you arewelcome here.
Even if it changes everything,oh my goodness.
So let's look at the rich youngruler in Mark, chapter 10,
(13:46):
verses 17 to 22.
And again, I won't read thewhole entire passage, but you
are welcome to refer to it.
The rich young ruler asks Jesuswhat must I do to inherit
eternal life?
You know he's checked all theboxes.
But Jesus sees deeper and saysone thing you lack just one,
(14:08):
just one.
Speaker 2 (14:09):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (14:10):
Sell everything you have and give to the poor.
Then come, follow me.
And here's the heartbreakingpart, of course, the scripture
goes on to say in verse 22 atthis, the man's face fell.
He went away sad because he hadgreat wealth.
(14:33):
Jesus didn't scold him, thoughthat's really a cool thing to
notice, right?
Yes, jesus loved him, but lovesometimes disrupts us.
It kind of puts it on the linefor us.
Speaker 2 (14:47):
It does.
Well, I should maybe just say alittle word about why I'm
having such a hard time withthis topic today.
I'm having a little bit of akind of a question mark health
crisis going on, and I don'treally know what's happening,
and so I'm having some fearabout that, and so it is hard to
think about these things.
Am I going to have a disruptionthat changes everything, or
(15:11):
will it not be a big deal?
I don't know.
I'll know next week.
So just being real, just beinghonest, that's why I'm having a
hard time with this, but I dowant what God wants.
I do want his holyinterruptions.
It's just hard, it's hard tosurrender.
Speaker 1 (15:29):
One of the good things you know in saying, even
if it changes everything, weknow that God's motivations for
what he does are driven by hislove.
I mean everything.
The backdrop of it I've saidthis so many times is the cross
of Christ, which was theultimate expression of God's
(15:50):
love for us.
He sacrificed Jesus for us.
So whatever he allows orwhatever he does to disrupt our
lives, even if it changeseverything, it's with the
intention of showing us that heloves us.
It is total, complete love.
It says in Romans 8 somewhere Idon't know the exact verse.
(16:10):
But he who gave up everything,including his son, how will he
not also, along with him,graciously give us all things?
And we know it doesn't mean allthings like.
You know a catalog of cars thatI, you know, exotic cars buy
this one, buy that one, or here,get a horse and get the special
saddle for it.
(16:32):
No, no, no it's.
He wants to graciously give usall we need for the life he's
called us to Right.
Yes, but nevertheless, this manwent away sad.
Yes, he did.
Let's look at this word sad inthe Greek, and it's.
The word in Greek is stignazo,and it means to be shocked into
(16:54):
gloom, not just disappointed,but he's deeply disturbed.
I find it fascinating that it'slike this shocked into that
gloom.
Yes, and it's only used oneother time in the new Testament
and it's describing thePharisees reaction to Jesus's
authority.
It's like Whoa, that's a bummer.
(17:15):
Jesus has all authority and thePharisees, who were stuck on
having the control and havingthe power and the authority with
the people, were shocked intothis gloom over Jesus's
authority.
Hopefully, the thought ofJesus's authority doesn't shock
(17:35):
us into gloom but gives us joy.
I know it brings me a lot ofpeace when I'm in the right
place in my head, but disruptioncan feel like grief when we're
clinging to our almosts Almostthat's for sure.
Let's do a different episodetoday.
Speaker 2 (17:57):
This is just like can we just do, lord I love?
Let's just do gratitude.
Yeah, well, going back toZacchaeus, jesus didn't just
disrupt Zacchaeus or the richyoung ruler.
He interrupted Martha'sperfectionism.
(18:17):
He stopped in his tracks when ableeding woman reached for his
robe.
I mean going back to thesestories in the word, it's like,
wow, he stilled a storm, but notbefore letting it rage.
And then what else?
Well, he flipped temple tables,he changed travel plans on
dusty roads.
(18:37):
He blinded Saul so he couldfinally see.
He disrupted ordinary lives andoffered extraordinary
transformation.
That's what God does.
He does it all over his word.
It's recorded there for us tosee.
It's part of who he is, it'spart of his way, it's part of
(18:58):
his character, it is how he,it's like his MO.
Speaker 1 (19:05):
So let's dive a little bit more deeply into a
couple of these instances, like,for instance, with the woman
with the issue of blood.
In Luke 8, 43 to 48, jesusstopped everything I mean he
stopped everything and said whotouched me?
And then he called her daughter, which is a validation and
affirmation of his love for her,and he tells her to take heart.
(19:28):
So the word that is translatedtake heart in this passage, or
have courage is tharsay, andit's used by Jesus when he's
giving her divine reassurance inthe face of her fear.
You got to love that.
How many of us have experiencedfear and to know that Jesus is
(19:49):
putting upon us his reassurance.
He knows everything and it's inthe face of our fear.
What was also going on with thewoman with the issue of blood
is it was a public disruption ofher private shame and that set
her free.
Speaker 2 (20:08):
Yes, and then the story of calming the storm.
In Mark, chapter four, verses35 to 41, jesus leads the
disciples right into a storm.
I mean, that's what he does.
He knows the storm is going tobe there.
He knows that.
The disciples right into astorm.
I mean that's what he does.
He knows the storm is going tobe there.
He knows that the disciples aregoing to be actually really
afraid and he's going to let thestorm rage while he takes a nap
(20:33):
, lord what?
And then, after some time haspassed and the disciples are
freaking out and they're likeLord, lord.
And then he calms it.
I mean, why did he do that?
Why did he do that?
As we kind of look at it moreclosely, we see that the storm
(20:57):
wasn't the disruption.
His calm was the disruption.
They said who is this?
Even the wind and waves obeyhim.
If he had done this in adifferent order, if he had, you
know, had this event happen in adifferent way, they wouldn't
have seen who he really was.
(21:18):
And that was the plan, that wasthe goal and he really brought
his point home.
He really did.
Speaker 1 (21:26):
Yeah.
So the other one is Mary andMartha.
In Luke 10, verses 38 to 42.
And this, of course, you know,jesus says, you know, martha is
busy doing all kinds ofpreparations and Mary is just
kind of sitting at Jesus's feetenthralled with his every word,
(21:47):
and Martha complains to Jesusabout it.
A real gutsy lady and he saysMartha, martha, you were worried
about many things.
So this word worried is in theGreek.
It's actually means to bepulled apart by anxiety.
(22:07):
Whoa, that's intense Sometimes.
Jesus is going to interrupteven our service done for him.
So we'll return to his feet andbe still and know.
Speaker 2 (22:20):
Yeah, these are tough truths, Heidi.
I mean they're good, god isgood, but yeah, these are tough.
So then we have the story ofthe temple tables from John,
chapter 2, verses 13 through 17.
So in this story, jesusactually flips tables.
He's angry, he's angry, he'supset, he drives out the money
(22:45):
changers and he calls outcorruption.
I mean, this was a louddisruption.
This was kind of a big deal.
I imagine what it was like tobe there and see Jesus doing
this.
But it was loud, it was adisruption, but it was holy.
He was restoring a sacred space.
Speaker 1 (23:09):
I love that Really when we can look past the
offense, kind of like the richyoung ruler, we can look past
the offense instead of walkingaway sad or in deep gloom going
okay, he's restoring somethingthat needs restoring.
If we can kind of go along withthat idea yes.
(23:29):
So another instance where Jesusdefinitely disrupted the life
of somebody is in.
Acts chapter nine verses one to19.
And this is where Saul, oftenknown as Paul, was converted and
was shown that.
(23:49):
I mean well, jesus blinded Saulso that Saul could see, see
more clearly what was going on,to see him.
And sometimes the most lovingthing Jesus can do is stop us
dead in our tracks, and we needto stop if he stops us and and
ask him what can I dodifferently?
(24:11):
What do you need?
Are you here, lord?
What is it that you're doing?
Speaker 2 (24:15):
Yeah, and in the moment it's hard to be open to
something like that.
It's easy to say it, but in themoment it's like okay, am I
open?
Is my heart soft enough toreceive this?
Am I listening?
And it's hard, it's hardsometimes.
Speaker 1 (24:34):
It is hard.
Yeah, we're not pretending anyof this is easy.
No, we're not.
Speaker 2 (24:42):
Okay, let's go ahead and do another breath prayer.
We're going to inhale and sayeven disruption is mercy.
We're going to exhale and saywhen it comes from you, um, so
again breath prayer.
You know, it's just breathing,with being able to say a truth,
breathing in and out, and ithelps us to get to that place of
(25:04):
having a softened heart towardthe Lord.
It reminds us we're renewingour mind with truth and calming
our bodies at the same time.
So let's do that right now.
Let's breathe in and say evendisruption is mercy.
(25:25):
Breathe out when it comes fromyou.
One more time, breathe in Evendisruption is mercy.
Speaker 1 (25:45):
Even disruption is mercy.
Breathe out when it comes fromyou.
It comes from you.
Ask yourself maybe, where isJesus disrupting you right now?
And invite him to show you Lord, where is it that you are
disrupting me right now?
And then you can ask him alsoto show you what discomfort have
(26:07):
I been resisting?
Ooh, this is a good one for meright now, because I know that
I've been resisting all you knowsome things he wants to do in
my life.
And then consider this couldthis be the beginning of
transformation?
Wow, yeah.
And if you want to take it intoa little bit of a journaling
(26:28):
activity or a written activity,you can write out Jesus, you are
disrupting and then fill in theblank there.
Speaker 2 (26:38):
And.
Speaker 1 (26:38):
I choose to trust you in it.
I'm going to say that again.
Jesus, you are disrupting blankand I choose to trust you in it
.
Speaker 2 (26:52):
Okay, so here are just a few simple ways, kind of
something that you can grab ahold of and do this later today
or later this weekend.
The first one is light a candleand just kind of make space.
Make space to have a little bitof quiet with the Lord.
Let it represent welcomingJesus into whatever it is that
(27:15):
you're struggling with.
So the second one is to namethe disruption and then just say
this truth out loud.
This discomfort might be holy,just as a way to kind of open
yourself up to the possibilitythat God might be using it to do
some transformation in yourlife.
That will be very beautiful.
(27:35):
In the end, this discomfortmight be holy.
Oh boy, and then the third oneis ask for abiding.
So talk to God, maybe in thisway, have a conversation with
him, say don't just visit Lord,stay with me here.
And of course he does, and ofcourse he is and he never leaves
(27:57):
us.
But sometimes just saying wordslike that are so helpful in our
trust relationship with theLord.
Don't just visit Lord.
Speaker 1 (28:07):
Stay with me here this episode is yeah, this one
has been tough for me.
And tough for you too.
Oh well, and here we go.
Jesus loves us way too much toleave us in our comfort zones,
doesn't he?
Speaker 2 (28:26):
Yes, he does seem to yeah comfort zone.
Speaker 1 (28:30):
Are you kidding me?
No, let's kick you to get outof it, kick you to get you, get
out of it.
He's kind of always calling usto go deeper, farther still,
fuller and freer.
Speaker 2 (28:45):
I just wish that I could do the fuller and freer
and deeper without the morepainful you know like you know,
so many years my prayers werekind of always the same, were
kind of always the same Lord,bring smooth sailing.
Lord, bring a season of peace.
Lord, fix this and end thistrouble and figure out this
(29:12):
problem.
But maybe, maybe what we shouldbe praying is you know, give us
what we need, give us an openheart, a soft heart, eyes to see
your thoughts, so that we canpersevere through the difficult
times and be transformed in theway that you will for us.
I mean, that's a big shift inprayer types, yeah it is, that's
(29:34):
challenging.
So I wanted to mention also thatwhen you're ready to respond,
we do have a place for that.
Our private online community isa space where people are
letting Jesus in every singleday.
We are doing this, we arepracticing this, we are praying
for each other, we are lovingeach other and we are pointing
(29:57):
each other to Jesus.
Disruptions and all.
Speaker 1 (30:00):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (30:01):
You can try it free for a month at
wwwrevelationwithinorg.
Come and visit us.
We would love to see you there.
Speaker 1 (30:12):
Thanks for sharing that.
And you know I gosh.
Maybe what feels likedisruption is really an
invitation.
I've got to wrap my brainaround that a little bit again
and again.
Maybe he's already right thereat our door, you know, knocking
so gently and lovingly, wantingto be let in.
Speaker 2 (30:34):
I'm going to go ahead and close this in prayer,
because it does seem like wereally need it, heidi and I, for
this podcast.
Lord Jesus, thank you for beingbold enough to interrupt us.
Thank you, lord, that you loveus so much that you want to go
deeper with us.
Help us, lord, not to be afraid, not to run from it.
(30:58):
Disrupt what you need to, andstay with us in the change, in
the transformation.
Our hope is in you, in Jesusname.
Speaker 1 (31:10):
Amen, you know.
Thank you, listener, forputting up with us today.
Yeah, For walking with us.
You know, let's trade managingfor abiding.
I know it'll be well, it'strading almost for abundance,
which is the life that Jesuscame for us we're going to trade
control for Christ, and that'sa good thing.
Speaker 2 (31:31):
Yes, and we're so glad that you've been here today
with us as we grappled withthis difficult but so important
topic, and we would love for youto join us at our next episode
of revelation within bye, bye,see you next time.
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The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.