Hidden Stuff In LIFE

“Who would have known?” uttered the exasperated man, “If I had known that I would have done something about the problem weeks ago.”

The old vehicle sat at the edge of the road and a tow truck was hosting it for transport assistance to the garage. However from all evidence that was available at that point – even a good mechanic would not help the situation now. The old car was dead. Now with no money extra the situation had darkened more. They were looking at more debt or maybe no car at all.

This family’s predicament is not all that unusual. Any one of us has been caught with the unknown burying us.

As I write this I know that my old vehicle in the driveway could die of old age at any time. At 12 years old and much rust showing on all sides, a few weird noises being emitted from the running stuff in the working parts…it could happen anytime.

If only I could find quite a few thousands of dollars extra…If only.

If only that situation would turn around I would be able to do something different. In fact, if only those involved would see what was happening I am sure that they would take evasive actions.

If only I had made a different decision at that one point in my life and taken a different road – I certainly wouldn’t be here in this mess!

If only!

The above “if only” list is but a starting point for more muttering on my part. It actually isn’t only my “if only” list – it is a compilation of the “if only” lists of others mixed with mine. The fact is that I can “if only” myself to death – or into a real good lather and then sink into “stinking thinking” so fast that it is scary.

How about you? Any “if only” thinking getting you down today?

This is a simple thought that is amazing. Life is filed with “if only”. Take “if” out of Life and you have only L--e. Life is 50% “if”.

Absolutely no one knows what their “IF” is in their LIFE.

The young couple with their new baby has dreams. The middle age couple has plans for their money and travel. The senior couple has long term plans where they will retire and where they will live. But all know nothing of the “IF” that they face.

“IF” so often is in thinking of the past. But “IF” is also in a future that is uncertain. “IF” is also in the most positive of forces as well…leading to tremendous possibilities. Acted upon at the right time will produce a powerful moment and opportunity.

Mix a little “KNOWING” with “IF” and you could see success.

But then in the middle of “KNOWING” is the word “NOW”. If we paid attention to the NOW and made some better decisions and better choices our “IF ONLY” list may be different up ahead.

But there is another word in “KNOWING” or “KNOW” that you can easily see… “NO”. Being able to use it properly is super important to create a better LIFE.

One person that I have worked with bought a car as a young lady. Add to that she had debt from school – lots of it. But she needed a car. Her ability to pay for the car at the beginning was not good. She had only other debt and low ability to purchase anything. But in order to get to work she needed a vehicle. The beautiful NEW automobile was what she needed – she was sure of it!

When we met to discuss the issues that had brought her down, I heard her sad story. The automobile was now 6 years old and was suffering from many new problems. It was not worth much money now in its old problem stages of life as a vehicle. But because of the “FINE PRINT” in the contract she had signed she still owed way more than the car was worth. “If only I had known then what I know now…I would have said NO to the wonderful offer the man had presented to me.” The regret in her words was very evident.

Now at this point in this article, with half my audience regretting yesterday and the other wondering what might happen…I have likely succeeded in pulling everyone back into their hidden “IF ONLY” list. The possibility for depression to sink in around your ears is great.

Pause….
Take a look at LIFE again. Do you see “I” in it? That “I” could be me or you. If it is, “I” can do something about what I face now. “I” also can refer to a bigger “I” than me. That “I” in my life is God.

A long time ago when Moses was unsure of what to do and not understanding the magnitude of God’s calling him to lead the People of Israel, he hesitated and pulled a “what IF”. “What IF the people do not believe me and the story of my meeting you? What IF…”

God’s answer was to tell them that “I AM” has done this. I love that story. “I AM” is in everything. No problem is too big for “I AM” – there is no problem too impossible for “I AM”.

If my LIFE will include a whole lot more of “I AM” – things will be easier. I have learned that HE has my best interests at heart.

What IF “I AM” were here to help me? He is… WOW!

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

Exodus 3:13-15 (New International Version)
13 Moses said to God, "Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' Then what shall I tell them?"
14 God said to Moses, "I am who I am . This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.' "
15 God also said to Moses, "Say to the Israelites, 'The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.' This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation.