Let’s face it. We all like it nice and easy. We want everything to work out, and work in our favor. If there are two points, we want the straight-line route, the one of least resistance and least time and effort wasted. For the most part, we don’t mind doing things as long as they’re convenient and work within our zones of comfort. This isn’t any more truer than in the modern, contemporary Christian life. Let’s be honest with ourselves: if it’s inconvenient, there will be no shortage of excuses as to why we can’t help or participate.
When we’re inconvenienced, we won’t:

• Go to church
• Tithe
• Volunteer
• Your Excuse Here…

Inconvenience:
• the quality or state of being inconvenient.
• an inconvenient circumstance or thing; something that causes discomfort, trouble, etc.

An inconvenience is a monkey wrench in our works. It distracts us from what we’re doing. It keeps us from doing what we had our heart set on doing. For God, an inconvenience stops us from doing what we want to do so we can do what God has His heart set on. For us, inconveniences equate to unrest. For God, inconveniences are opportunities. How often have we prayed: Lord, use me? But when He chooses to use us, most often through an inconvenience, we get hot and bothered and start complaining? I believe that if we were always focused on God, with ears open to hear His voice, He would just tell us what He wanted. But, because we are so preoccupied with our own selfish ways, God has to use inconveniences to stop us dead in our tracks, to stop the rhythm of our flow, and jar us to attention.

It is during these moments when we’re stopped dead in our tracks, and we’re no longer flying on autopilot that we need to realize that God is trying to get our attention, and then say to Him, “Ok, Lord, what’s up? What would you have me to do?”

Did you miss your bus? Your train? Or worse, your flight? Maybe God wants to use you? Maybe God has someone He wants you to speak to? Maybe someone’s life hangs in the balance. Maybe that person is going to commit suicide that night? Maybe God is going to call that person home, and they’re not right with Him, and their eternity hangs in the balance. Or maybe, that person just needs someone to talk to.

Joseph was sold into slavery even though he had great promises. Talk about a major inconvenience in his life. Yet, in his affliction, God gave him favor and authority in both Potiphar’s house and with the Jailer. What was a major disappointment to Joseph, and a great inconvenience, was all part of Gods overall plan?

Even though Joseph was certainly disappointed and questioned why this would have happened to him, he never questioned God, and more importantly, he walked in his integrity and made the best of the present situation. In the end, Joseph rolled with the punches, let God use him in the midst of his inconvenience, and ended up second in command over the richest nation in the world at that time.

Never complain of your inconvenience. God may be trying to get your attention. Instead of complaining of your inconvenience, learn to say, “Lord, this is an inconvenience to my plans, what are you trying to say? Here I am, use me.”