What if.
Two of the most powerful words in the universe. We can use them to strike fear in people’s hearts. We can paralyze thousands–maybe millions.
These two words have hindered the advancement of the gospel numerous times over the centuries.
What if we do this and something unpleasant happens?
What if we do this and that occurs?
Though these two words only have the power to conjure up unknown monsters in our imaginations, we certainly believe those creatures exist in reality. Though we know nothing about them, we know they are scary–they just have to be. So…we stop in our tracks.
No movement. No expansion. No multiplication.
What if our church makes such sacrifices for the gospel and that happens to us?
What if we go to the unengaged unreached peoples and that happens to us?
What if I try this and that does not work?
Let’s stop practicing the sorcery that conjures this beast.
Yes, but what if God takes us into the valley of the shadow of death and a real monster shows up? You know He has before!
Yes. He may. He sent the seventy-two to the wolves (Luke 10:3). But real monsters are different from imaginary monsters. Imaginary monsters are omnipotent.
If for some reason a monster does show up as the Spirit leads, He will be with you. He created Behemoth (Job 40:15) and Leviathan (Psalm 104:26). He is bigger than any monster. He is our Good Shepherd. He keeps us from fear and provides comfort (Psalm 23:4). He loves us.
What if we believed this? What if we used what if differently?
How about:
We know the Spirit is leading us in this direction. What if we do this and God does that!
This was so succinctly written and quite applicable for us. We serve in Upper Nile State South Sudan, where “what ifs” seem to be the norm. Thanks for writing this as I was to start turning our “what ifs” around and putting them in a positive light. Blessings to you! Cathy
You are welcome, Cathy. Thank you for your Kingdom labors in S. Sudan, and for sharing here!