What If

The first few lines of this song rang out Sunday morning during worship and my mind was immediately drawn to them, and the question "What if?" came into my head.   It started out as "what if instead of giving into my addictions I stand beneath Your wings, rest in Your shelter, allowing Your faithfulness to shield me and Your Spirit to strengthen me?"   What if I waited on the Lord instead of just grabbing the cupcakes or the extra cup of coffee I 'm not supposed to have?  And throughout the service as I heard Bible verses, and teaching the "what ifs" continued, and are still continuing to pop into my thoughts today.

The biggest one, and it pretty much encompasses all of the smaller ones is "What if instead of bowing down to self, to my emotions, I patterned my life after Jesus?"   Hmmmm.  And interesting question.

What if I pressed in instead of giving in?  What if I walked in mercy instead of judgement?  What if I prayed for those who hurt or annoy me instead of speaking badly of them?  What if I forgave instead of holding on to anger?  What if I put God first instead of leaving Him the crumbs of my day?  What if, what if, what if.  On and on the list can go.  I'm sure you can add many of your own "what ifs."

I loved this God visit.  So often we spend time in the "if onlys."  Thoughts of, "if only I had done this or if only I had done that" sometimes plague our hearts and create such a heaviness of regret and sorrow.  We can't live in the "if only."  But I feel like the "what if" can lead us forward.  "What if I did this in stead of that..."  "What if" can lead to positive change, and godly behavior when we follow the lead of Jesus.

Lord, lead us in Your ways.  Let us use the question "What if?" to provoke us to grow in You, to mirror Your life on earth and the love You always showed.  What if instead of following my desires I laid down my life for Your purpose.  I can answer that!  I would have a life more fulfilling and meaningful than anything I could ever imagine.  Lord, thank You for this one little question.  You are amazing in the simplicity of Your teaching, even when the concept is so profound.  I love You Lord. Help us to go in the right direction.

Get personal with your own "what ifs' today.