I’ve recently gone through a period of an “I wish…” phase. Or maybe more accurately, “if only…” And then we can reduce that to just “if…”. Some of that thinking is benign. But, as I tend to lean towards making scenarios in my head, those phrases can yield unhealthy results.
Beyond those results, I am convicted that this way of thinking is contrary or even offensive to God. Do I believe God has made me for a specific purpose? What does that even mean? Is that “purpose” something really specific (like being a plumber or an architect) or is it more along the lines that He calls me to submit to His will and leading?
Ozzy talks a lot about being submissive to God. It’s not about what it’s about. We lean towards matters of this world. Yet, God has placed us in this world, in this space and in this time. So, to think “if…” would be contrary to where God wants us. Does that mean I make the right decisions all the time? I wish! (Is that an “I wish” that is actually healthy?!) But, yet, we learn from our mistakes. So, to wish the bad stuff away might also be contrary to what God wants of us.
What about the “if only…” related to making “bad” things “good”? Like poverty? Or sickness? Or war? Or communicating God’s love? Or…?
It always comes back to my relationship with God. I think “if only…” in some contexts is actually healthy. It can drive us and place us in a state of focus or even mission. Yet, focus beyond that relationship can be contrary. On paper this seems so simple, yet, hard to live out in real life.
I wish I could make it work as simple as it seems.
Maybe I’m not exactly thru that phase…
