Possibilities stretch out like the ocean’s horizon. One decision, one small turn can alter the course of a person’s life, and we don’t always see the destination before we arrive. Will we let ourselves be paralysed by doubt, or will we walk on the water in faith? Over the last month, I have faced a number of situations that made me look out at the horizon of possibilities and think, “What if?”
What if I get rejected?
What if someone gets offended?
What if the answer takes a long time?
But what if God;
What if God shows Himself powerful, glorious and faithful, just like I know He is?
What if someone experiences the miracle of grace and is brought back to the Father’s house?
What if there is an opportunity to lay down one more stone in the Kingdom of Heaven?
All my doubts are eclipsed by the knowledge that God moves. The possibility that my “what if” question can end with a move of God is, I believe, 100%. This knowledge overrides every attempt of fear to compel me in another direction. Anything I might suffer pales in comparison to the eternal resonance of one person stepping across the threshold of grace and into the Kingdom of Heaven.
What if we listen to how God responds to the question of “what if”?
“… I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John chapter 14, verse 6)
If He is truth, then all His promises toward us are truth, and His life really is all for us. If His life is for us, then we have forgiveness from our sins, we have victory in Him, and we are beloved of the very King of Heaven. What if someone sees that they really are a child of God?
“Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew chapter 11, verse 28)
Imagine the world’s burdens lifted off the shoulders of those who cannot carry them. Imagine people free to live in the joy they were created to experience. Imagine people at peace, soaking in the rest of the Father. What if someone’s life is transformed to live in the freedom they never knew they were chasing?
“And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them and healed their sick.” (Matthew chapter 14, verse 14)
God has compassion on the sick, on the weary, on the broken-hearted, on the lonely. He cares, and He heals our wounds. What if that healing comes today for one person?
“… If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans chapter 8, verse 31)
The all-powerful, all-knowing God will always accomplish His will, and if He is for us, then every victory is ours. What if we dared to stand up and walk with a faith-filled stride each day?
“I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than our ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.” (Luke chapter 15, verse 7)
Our Heavenly Father loves people and He wants them in His house. What if that one word spoken, one action taken causes this celebration in heaven? What if it leads to one more child of God returned to the Father?
What are we waiting for? Every opportunity is worth our stepping out in faith for the possibilities of what God might do. A constant prayer for the impossible can yield the harvest of a miracle healing. A simple “hello” to the person next to us on the bus or plane can start a conversation that leads to salvation. A word of encouragement, spoken or written, can release the heaviness in a person’s heart.
The horizon is shining with the anticipation of what if; what if God moves today? What if He chooses to move through us?
Kristen is a family doctor, and author of the e-book ‘An Internship with Jesus’. She lives with her husband in Adelaide and writes a weekly blog (lostnowfoundk) on life with God. Her second blog, Lily of the Valleys-K, aims to share her love for Jesus through music and art.
See Kristen’s other articles at: https://lostnowfoundk.com/an-internship-with-jesus-ebook-christian-today-articles/