Each Friday my writing stems from a word prompt. Five minutes, one word prompt. The prompt this week is … If.
Such a small word and yet, a most powerful one as it exerts strong influence on our focus.
I struggle with going down the road of “What if ..”. The mere question can send me on one of two paths – either desperate and fearful or expectant and hopeful. The choice is surely my own.
Lately I have been challenging myself to go down the path of expectant and hopeful, anticipating all the ways in which God can choose to move or change situations. The cry of Habakkuk has become the cry of my own heart – “I’ve heard all about what you can do, Lord. I’ve already experienced it at various times in my life. But I want to see it again.”
That’s my version of Habakkuk 3:2 but check it out for yourself. The Message says it much better than me:
“God, I’ve heard what our ancestors say about you and I’m stopped in my tracks, down on my knees.
Do among us what you did among them. Work among us as you worked among them.”
- What if God worked and moved in our lives, doing what only He can do?
- What if He opened wombs causing the infertile to become fertile?
- What if He brought His salvation and hope to the nations?
- What if He fed the hungry?
- What if He healed the sick?
- What if He placed teenage moms and their little ones in families, filling them with hope?
- What if He provided employment which fills lives with a sense of purpose?
- What if He provided homes for the evicted?
- What if He healed broken minds, minds tormented with anxiety and fear of what the day may bring?
This is the “What if’s” I want to dwell on and pray for and see God’s power released upon.
And to see this – I need the faith of Abraham.
Abraham has been challenging me these days. Reading Romans 4 has reminded me of the faith it took for Abraham to live out his call:
“This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and creates new things out of nothing” (verse 17b, NLT).
“Even when there was no reason for hope – Abraham kept hoping – believing …”
(verse 18, NLT).
“Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God” (verse 20, NLT).
And why?
“He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.”
(verse 21, NLT)
Those what if’s – I want to go down the path of expectancy and hope – fully convinced my God is able!
Yes, the path of expectancy and hope is the best one to walk on- trusting that God can work even in difficult situations and turn things around!
I want to be full convinced God is able, too! Thank you Joanne. Some of the what if’s on your hopeful list are quite personal to me today. Praying beside you.
And praying for you this morning, Bethany.
I love Hebrews 4:21….my Bible uses the phrase “being fully persuaded”! How powerful it is to know that God is able…and that all His promises are true! Wonderful thoughts to start the weekend!!
May we be as Abraham walking in the confidence our God is able!
What if I trust God in all things? Then I travel down the path of expectancy and hope. Your post took me one step further today.
Debbie, so glad you commented. Trust. All things. One step at a time. Amen!
Absolutely beautiful! I love the positive of it… The value of the other end of the spectrum is a huge one!
I think we so default to the negative so easily. I’m trying to train my mind to look at the positive side of my “what if” questions for truly God is able in all things. Blessings!
Expectant and hopeful is good! Can’t afford anything else.
You surely do this, Andrew. And in so doing, your life is an example for us all. Blessings!
If God…. God has done much. 🙂
My mind doesn’t default to the negative, but I know I don’t always actively pray about and expect the positive either. Sometimes I just rock along. I want to be more active about my “what if’s.” Thanks for causing me to think about this more.