What Would Happen If . . . ?

What would happen if we believed, really believed that God uses us? What would happen if we actually fed the hungry? What would happen if we clothed the poor? What would happen if we left church on Sunday and lived by the Spirit’s leading? What would happen if we came to church consistently? What would happen if we gave up our jobs to become exactly what God made us to be?

What would happen if we stopped tearing down people with our words, and instead tore down those strongholds in our minds and hearts; those strongholds that keep us from moving forward . . . that keep us living *life*, instead of living LIFE abundant. What would happen if we prayed for each other’s healing, both in body and spirit? What would happen if we started making right choices with our time and money?

What would happen if we set a precedent of behavior for our family that honored God above all else? What would happen if we said that no matter what, our house will serve God? What would happen if we led our children to the throne on a daily basis? What would happen if we used our incredibly powerful gift of will to dictate how we will live in the world, but not of it? What would happen if we tested God by actually giving tithes and abundant offerings? What would happen if God became our very breath, our very life, instead of a priority that is reserved for Sunday mornings? What would happen if we prayed? What would happen if we lived a spiritual life in a physical world?

What would happen if we started a children’s bus route in the poor section of town? What would happen if we stopped sinning? What would happen if we thought more about clean hearts and minds instead of a clean church? What would happen if we prayed? What would happen if we gave up all of our independence to live in total dependence on God through the Spirit of Christ? What would happen if we would stop being so hard on ourselves?

What would happen if we decided to actually fight in this Spiritual War that we are in? What would happen if we lived on PURPOSE in a PRECARIOUS society? What would happen if we confessed one to another? What would happen if we stopped moving God between a box and a book, and actually allowed the reality of His Kingdom to permeate our mind, body, and soul? What would happen if we really did surrender all?

What would happen if we acted on Truth? What would happen if we actually ran from temptation? What would happen if we took a stand, not as a Condemning church but as a Conduit to Calvary in a world that needs the good news of the Gospel? What would happen if we actually spread that Gospel? What would happen if we developed deep relationships with our neighbors before we asked them to come to church?

What would happen if we stopped watching television programs that promote sin and vice? What would happen if we taught our girls to be modest? What would happen if we taught our boys to be respectful? What would happen if we beat our inner child, you know, the one that screams and cries to have what we want, and when we want it, regardless how stupid it is . . .? What would happen if we became disciplined?

What would happen if we got rid of the need for control found in the hierarchy of Church denomination and instead lived in unity as brothers and sisters in Christ? What would happen if we really got saved and lived a transformed life? What would happen if we used our spiritual gifts? What would happen if we actually had a relationship instead of a ritual, both with God and each other? What would happen if we believed, really believed, that God wants to use us to change our world? What would happen if we changed our mind?!!

What would happen if we put works with faith? What would happen if we put action with belief? What would happen if we perfected faith through works? What would happen if we practiced pure religion and visited orphans and widows in distress? What would happen if we kept ourselves unstained by the world? What would happen if we repented? What would happen if we had a different view about what a church should become? What would happen if we looked past our differences to real, true change? What would happen if we stopped offering mud pies of complacency and started giving God our best?

I saw a T-shirt that showed a sign on a church door. It said, “Church closed. Gone fishing for men. Will return when boat is full”. What would happen if we went fishing?

I heard someone say, "I want to live what I believe!" We already do. Our actions come from our thoughts that come from our beliefs. Take a close look . . . are you happy with the way you live? What would happen if we looked for, chose, and lived the right beliefs?

“Jesus tapped me on the shoulder and said, “Bob, why are you resisting me?” I said, “I’m not resisting you!” He said, “You gonna follow me?” I said, “I’ve never thought of that before!” He said, “When you’re not following me, you’re resisting me.””
– Bob Dylan

“God is a verb.” – Buckminster Fuller

Be transformed . . .

© Copyright Derek Hickman 2008