God-Centered If Only's...

For years, I lived in a world of empty if only's. Thinking, If only I would get a chance to...then I would be happy. If only he would love me...then I wouldn't feel so lonely. If only I were taller, smarter, skinnier, then people would respect me. If only I could be like...then I'd be successful.

But, the world of empty if only's left me feeling rejected and discouraged. However, NOT every if only needs to be unfruitful. In Matthew 9:20-22, we can read of an if only that brought healing:

"Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. She said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed." Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed from that moment." (NIV)


Can you imagine this woman's sheer exhaustion? She'd searched for healing everywhere...exhausted every resource...yet found no relief. Every hope turned upside down. Every promise turned out empty.

Friend, you may be exhausted. You may feel defeated. You may have felt as though you've tried everything possible...BUT DON'T GIVE UP...God invites each one of us to HIS WONDERFUL WORLD OF IF ONLY'S...

In this New Year, let's change any selfish if only to God-centered if only's. Like the woman in Matthew 9, let's take our brokenness to Him and, in faith, reach out to touch Him. May we never stop.! May we NEVER give up! May we desperately, yet confidently, press in to touch Him, knowing that if only we touch HIM...we will be made whole.

God gave Israel a promise in Deuteronomy 15:4-5 saying, "He will richly bless you, if only you fully obey the LORD your God and are careful to follow all these commands I am giving you today." (NIV)


Will you join me in this New Year to God-centered if only's and in faith resolve to believe, that:

• If only we press past our own insecurities to follow after Him, our life will have meaning.
• If only we surrender all of our rights and die to selfishness, we will find life abundant.
• If only we love unselfishly in all of our relationships, He will satisfy the longings of our heart.
• If only we give all that we have, He will provide for all that we need.
• If only we pursue Him with all our heart, mind, soul and strength, we will discover Him.

PRAYER: Father, in this New Year we want nothing less than Your ALL! All of You. All of Your plans. All of Your wisdom. All of Your presence! Amen.