If Only...

The word "if" is a tricky word, that can get us into trouble. Such a little word, that can cause so much worry and complaining in our lives. I once preached a sermon entitled, "What are the 'What ifs' in Our Lives?" This was directed at identifying how the "what ifs," can create a lot of worry in our lives and prevent us from faith in God.

The word, "if" speaks to conditional existence. In other words, it does not speak to our actual present tense experience in life, but speaks to a conditional and often preferred, yet unreal existence. In other words, the word "if" flies in the face of reality. What are the "If only" conditions you and I hold out for and how does that mitigate against faith and contentment in God? If only I had a better and bigger house, if only I could make a little more money, if only my spouse..., if only my family..., if only I weighed...then I'd be happy.

As we read about the Israelites in Numbers 11-14, we hear a lot of "If only..." types of complaints and grumblings. "If only we had some meat to eat, then we'd be happy." "If only we stayed in Egypt, then we would not die in this desert." Their "If only..." mantra mitigated against the true means of satisfaction and purpose in life, i.e. absolute, unequivical allegiance to Jesus Christ, the God of the universe, the Lord of one's life and the savior one's soul. In other words, they were putting conditions upon their contentment in life and their commitment to God. "If only we had....then we'd be happy or protected or satisfied in life and with this God."

What are the "If only..." conditions that you and I place upon God and hold out for in our own lives? How are you and I qualifying our commitments to God in the unspoken "If onlys" in our hearts? Here is an "If only..." that I think is most appropriate - "If only that little word 'If' could be eliminated from our commitment." Then, without the "if" we'd simply have the word "only" ruling in our hearts. No conditions, no qualifications, simply the word "only" which referes to the One and only who has our complete allegiance.

May God graciously, identify and eliminate the "Ifs" of our lives, so we might find our fullest satisfaction in God.

Beams Away!