“If Only” vs “What If”
Mahatma Gandhi said, “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” If the word “IF” isn’t the biggest word in the Bible, it certainly ranks near the top. It’s quite amazing how a simple two letter word defines most people today. That simple word is mentioned in Romans 8, ten times.
Some people are where they are today because they can’t let go of or forget the “If Only” regrets of their past. We know the story well. “If only” I hadn’t gone there, done that, married that person, hung out with that person, lost my job, or completed my education, my life would be different today. Listen, “We ALL have sinned,” (Romans 3:23).
God is a master at taking broken and disappointed lives and restoring them in a way that they are far better than ever were before. There’s no sin He can’t or won’t forgive. There’s no problem He can’t solve. There’s no relationship He can’t restore and reconcile.
WHAT IF, you came before God, One who loves you more than anyone else in this world. A God who already knows the shortcomings of your past, all your sins, bad habits, the lies, and deceptions you tried to get away with, and other unimaginable and said, - “God, I give up! I’m waving the white flag and surrendering my life to you. Please forgive me of everything I’ve done wrong. I need You in my life and want to become the person You intended me to be!”
When a person confesses and forsakes their sins, the regrets of the past may linger for a while, but a loving and merciful God will go to work immediately. Not only forgiving the sins but restoring your life. He begins to renew the mind giving proper thoughts. A mindset begins to develop that draws us closer to Him.
“WHAT IF,” you began to see yourself and others as Jesus does? “What if” you started believing God only has good ideas and YOU are an idea in the mind of God? “What if” you started believing there’s nothing God can’t do and His promises are true? Today you can trade your “If only,” (even if you’ve tried it before), for “What If” possibilities.
Pastor Carnes
