"If Only"

  Where you worship with the saints, how many times have you heard complaints or seen people go off into bad attitudes because of two words: "if only!" 

  "If only" we had this program or that program the church would move forward!

  "If only" our song leaders would stop leading this song or that song or lead different songs I would have a better attitude in worship!  

  "If only" our preacher wasn't dull and had better lessons for us!

  "If only" our elders would be informative or they need to be doing this or that more!

  "If only" people in the congregation cared like I care!

  "If only" and the list continues to grow. Too many times we are hindering the work of our Lord Jesus Christ simply by our "if only." When this attitude prevails in our hearts, what are we offering to the Lord with our lives? What are we really putting our faith in when "if only" seems to be the over-riding in our attitudes and thinking?

   "If only" Abraham had gone west where the land of promise lay instead of north, he would have saved a lot of frustration and time! What did Abraham do that we don't? He believed in God! By faith when he was called and obeyed going out not knowing where he was going (Heb. 11:8). God called Abraham to put his trust, his life into God's hands! God called David to trust Him, putting his faith in His word and not look back in regrets saying, "if only!" Jacob was dying, leaning on the top of his staff and blessed the sons of Joseph and worshiped leaving out any "if only." True faith in God will keep the "if only" syndrome away from our hearts and build a loving and trusting relationship. It will lead us to encourage one another rather than assess what is wrong with one another, or who is messing up this time or what isn't going right. The only thing that holds the church back or those who keep the "if only" attitudes alive! The faithful present themselves to God as a living and holy sacrifice that is acceptable to God because of His mercies (Rom. 12:1). That's the difference of the two mind sets!