What If?

When I was in elementary school, I would annoy my mother by asking ‘what if’ questions.  I remember her telling me they don’t matter and that she wasn’t going to answer any more of them.  Even as adults, don’t we still play the, ‘what if’ game from time to time?

There was a movie released in 2010 called, What If.  It had Kevin Sorbo, John Ratzenberger and Kristy Swanson in it.  It was a really good family friendly movie.  In the movie, Keven Sorbo was a devoted Christian dating Kristy, but he left to pursue his career, telling Kristy he would come back for her.  He got so wrapped up in the high paying corporate world that he left behind his faith and girl for many years.  So, God sent John Ratzenberger down as an angel.  He was to show Kevin what his life could have been like if he would have picked the path God had planned for him.  Well, it’s pretty funny and it gets the point across. I highly recommend it.

Just like in the movie, we sometimes ask the questions, “what if I picked a different career, married a different person, or whatever.  The questions can go on and on.  I believe God guides but we still have free will.  I know I made poor choices a few times, but God made even my mistakes become blessings after many teachable moments and years. 

Isaiah 43:18-19 Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.  See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

See the past can’t be changed; dwelling on what we did or did not do, will only cause hurdles in our life that we have to jump and trip over constantly.   Here are a few good quotes.  I’m not endorsing anyone or their beliefs, I just like their quotes.

“The thing about ‘what ifs’; they don’t matter, they don’t change anything.  All they do is make it unable for you to heal.”  Lindy Zart

“The what-ifs & the should have’s will eat your brain.”  John O’Callaghan

So funny but true, they will eat or diminish your brain for sure.  Often ‘what if’ question cause us to live in the past when all we can really change is how we respond in the future.  Why dwell there?  We should take that knowledge and choose to do better.

The other thing about ‘what if’s’, is that we can also play the ‘what if’ game about our future.

Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.

In Isaiah 43a;18-19 God has seen our past; he’s asking us to forget about it because He has planned a new thing, a better thing for our future.  He is making rivers and streams through the wastelands of mistakes and failures.  Through His son, Jesus, all those mistakes, regrets and sins can be washed clean, white as snow.  He is asking us to remember them no more and to embrace His grace, love and His plans for our life.  Who else loves us that much?

I admit, I played the ‘what if’ game after my husband died.  “What if we would have gone to the Doctor sooner?  Because of COVID and the fact they didn’t want people sitting in waiting rooms, they would only see a few patients a day which made it hard to get an appointment. So, I said to myself many times, “what if I would have demanded they see him sooner would it have saved his life?” And there was other “what if” questions I beat myself up about. Like the quote says, it will eat your brain and the other quote, it will make you unable to heal.  Both are absolutely correct!  So, take my advice and don’t play that game, it’s miserable and there is no benefit to it, UNLESS, we are asking ourself two serious questions about our future. 1.)  What if I die tomorrow and never told and showed my family how much I loved them?  2.) What if I die tomorrow and never accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior?

“Never wait for tomorrow, what if tomorrow never comes?”  Elvis Presley

I love the song, If Tomorrow Never Comes, by Garth Brooks.  I will put a link to it at the end.  This song really gets right to the heart of relationships and how they come into perspective when you are thinking about the end of your life. 

How do we want to leave this earth?  Do we want good relationships and the assurance of eternal life with our Lord?  I’m sure there are many people that don’t play the what if game.  They live one day at a time never taking life or eternity seriously.  Many probably don’t make lasting relationships or care about others feelings.  How sad.  It is pure joy to have good relationships and know about your eternal future.

Today affects tomorrow, make sure the people in your life know how much you love them.  My husband did an excellent job of that.  Three years have passed now, but the love he showed me, the love of family and friends, and the love of the Lord, has been enough to last and see me through. My only question now is, “What’s next Lord?” No what if’s here!

Prayer

Lord, We silly humans seem to always figure out different ways to add more baggage to our lives.  But you say to forget the former things and not to worry about tomorrow.  Remind us of the important things we should focus on and give us the strength to choose what is right.  May we live like tomorrow will never come, not worrying, but preparing by making the most of each day.  Help us leave this earth a little better because we were here, being your hands and feet.  Thank you, Lord, we can’t do it without you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Beautiful Song!!!

Garth Brooks, If Tomorrow Never Comes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50oa0tTsFA4

God Bless

Sally