What if? In His Word 4-20-2020
What if things were worse? What if we
made the choice of following the wrong people? What if we chose to follow
people thinking that they were following the right path but then we realize it
was wrong?
It happens, people get wrapped up in the
moment and someone says, “I know what to do!” and they follow them. I have seen
in the past month plus many people following the flow. One way and the other
they follow.
I see churches that tried to stay open
and ignore the flack of the government, only to succumb to reality check and think
about the good of the whole body. After all we want the world to be safe, not
just our little flock.
People see others buying piles of paper,
so they buy it too. Suddenly there is a free for all! Suddenly we go for weeks wondering
if there will be toilet paper when we need it!
What if we just had said, no I have the amount I always buy, I will keep up with that. What if it lasts just fine and we get more as needed? Did we gain more people just because they had to stay home? Do families not eat the same amount, with maybe an adjustment for comfort foods? What if they just acted normal only switched to work at home, for one of the key work force members and slowly reduced contact as needed?
Well, here is the big difference… or the
big choice… what if we did all of this but had no love? God is love, so if
there was no God to show us what to do properly, if there was no God to produce
peace in our hearts, hope in our healing, grace in our attitude moments, what
if?
Below you will read a familiar scripture,
do not read it the same today. Today I want you to think of the face that God
is love. Then think about the fact that
these are the attributes we need to have in Him. His love, Himself, is all of
these, but the idea that we could try to do what He did for us, but it would be
nothing without Him, really hit me today. What if I went to church without God?
Would I feel a connection to fellow believers if there was not a God to believe
in? If I did not know Him, could be seen as one with all these things? Would I
try to sacrifice myself for others, just as Jesus did?
It is not about me! Now read this.
What if I could speak all languages of
humans and of angels? If I did not love others, I would be nothing more than a
noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. What if I could prophesy and understand all
secrets and all knowledge? And what if I had faith that moved mountains?
I would be nothing, unless I loved
others.
What if I gave away all that I owned and
let myself be burned alive? I would gain nothing, unless I loved others. Love
is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud, or rude. Love isn’t
selfish or quick tempered. It doesn’t keep a record of wrongs that others do.
Love rejoices in the truth, but not in
evil. Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting. Love never
fails!
Everyone who prophesies will stop, and
unknown languages will no longer be spoken. All that we know will be forgotten.
We don’t know everything, and our prophecies are not complete. But what is perfect
will someday appear, and what isn’t perfect will then disappear.
When we were children, we thought and
reasoned as children do. But, when we grew up, we quit our childish ways. Now
all we can see of God is like a cloudy picture in a mirror. Later we will see
him face to face. We don’t know
everything, but then we will, just as God completely understands us. For now,
there are faith, hope, and love. But of these three, the greatest is love. 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 CEV
What if we choose today too love one
another as God loved us, and though we may not toss ourselves onto an open fire
to safe another life, what if we sacrifice our needs for the other people’s
good? What if we choose to use less paper so that others may have some? What if
we choose to eat less, so someone else could eat?
We do not have to be all high and mighty
during this time in history; we are not the only ones out there foraging and
hunting and gathering our needs. Let’s just do this; reassess what is a need!
A need is what is necessary to survive
for the moment or circumstance we are in.
One man’s need is to have easy access to what he wants, another man’s
need is to keep things inside a space where it fits, whether it is easy to get
to or not is not a priority.
What if we make other people’s priorities
ours? Then there is peace. Then we show love, and we will find a moment of
hope.
In Jesus’ love we can find all these but
without His love we have nothing. Not really. I think contentment sums up these
things, and we cannot find true contentment with the things we are in without
the Love of God within us through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Not that I speak in respect of want: for
I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. Philippians
4:11
Heavenly Father help us to be equally content
with what we have, whether it be more, or less let us be pleased to be in Your presence,
and with Your love among us and living through us today. Help us to love one another
and put others first as You do; in Jesus’ name, amen
Suggestions for further reading:
Philippians 4:1-23 & Psalm 37:1-40