Rogers According to Webster’s New World Dictionary, the definition of disturb is: “1) to break up the quiet or settled order of. 2) to make uneasy or upset. 3) to interrupt.” There are many things in our world that might fit the definition. Things such as the economy, wars, natural disasters, illnesses, just to name a few. We usually don’t like to be disturbed. There is one disturbance that we should be thankful for, the disturbance of God.

What is a disturbance from God? It is anything initiated by God to get our attention. One method that God uses for disturbing people comes when we read his Word, the Bible. Josiah was made king of Israel at a very young age. He had heart for God and set out to bring reforms to his people. One day during the remodeling of the temple a priest found the book of the law. They took it to Josiah where they sat down to read it. Josiah got very disturbed at what he heard because the book revealed how far from God’s ways they had drifted (2 Chron. 34:14-21). How long has it been since you read something in God’s Word that disturbed you? What did you do about it?

God may use certain information to disturb you. Nehemiah was a Jewish man who asked a couple of questions about his brothers and sisters living back in the homeland of the Jews (Neh. 1). After receiving the details, he became extremely disturbed (Neh. 1:4). Everyday we receive information. It comes by word of mouth, through the Internet, TV or a magazine or book. Is there any information disturbing you right now? Some person or situation where you could help?

Another way that God uses to disturb people is through supernatural moves of His Spirit or what we sometimes call revival. On the day of Pentecost the outpouring of the Holy Spirit caused a great disturbance, not only to those who received it, but also to those who witnessed its effects (Acts 2:5-12). Peter preached like a disturbed prophet of old that day and three thousand people got disturbed enough to make the best move of their lives (Acts 2:37-41). Church history is full of periods of revival. These supernatural moves of God change churches, people, communities, nations, and even history, for the better! Are you disturbed that we are currently living without revival? They all start with prayer!

It’s my opinion that every exploit, done in God’s name, started with a disturbance. If you are disturbed, good chance God is calling you to do something. You might find that encouraging or perhaps disturbing - hopefully both!

Chuck Rogers is associate pastor of First Assembly of God, Delphi.