With the heat of summer bearing upon us and the sweat of expectation beading up on our necks, I invite you in. Come unwind in the shade and join me in a gentle refreshing of our minds. Will you sit a moment and do some holy wondering with me?
TWO TYPES OF WHAT-IFS
The way I see it, there are two types of what-ifs we can allow our thoughts to mull over. Both beg for our attention and consideration, but only one is rightly worthy of it.
There is the most common form — negative in nature, quick to drag heart and mind down an ugly path of fear, doubt, and frustration. Those what-ifs are easy to come by, lurking in the flesh of self, ready to drown you in diminished hope.
Alternatively, there are those of the profound type — what-ifs that require intentionality and often lead to meaningful change and productive discovery. These are the what-ifs we should be purposeful in asking ourselves, the ones worthy of mindful reflection. Though not nearly as easy to elicit, they are powerful for sanctification and merit our still thoughts.
WHAT-IFS OF A HOLY NATURE
Paul imparted some riveting what-ifs of a holy nature in his letter to the Romans, providing a healthy examination of alternate possibilities. In this case, he recounted what had actually come to pass:
What if God, although choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of His wrath — prepared for destruction? What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory? Romans 9:22-23, NIV
WHAT IF ALL YOU EVER DID WAS…
A short time ago, in fellowship over a modest feast around our table, an influential voice in my life candidly asked, “What if all you ever did was love your husband well; raise these three girls God has given; hold this family and home together in quiet faithfulness, anchored and reliant on Jesus, then died? What if that was all? Would it be enough? Would that life be a ‘success’?“
My untrustworthy emotions immediately raised a flag in protest, combating the notion with upstanding ‘could bes’ and ‘should dos’. Righteous ones even! But what of all the additional marvelous and impressive accomplishments I could attain for Jesus? My more culture was showing. Yet deep within, a tender nudge of the Spirit begged me to be still, to listen, and to consider. He invited me to re-calibrate who and what I was allowing to define a ‘successful’ life. My mind held, turned over, and examined with wonder the thought, ‘Tiffany, what if those things really are enough? Can what Jesus declares enough, be enough for you?’
Let’s continue our holy wondering —
What if, instead of all the things we dream of…
What if, instead of all the things we deem successful…
What if, instead of accomplishing much, and more, and then another…
What if, instead of being the one who thought it up, that next great thing…
What if, instead of being loud and heard and known…
What if, instead of doing more and being more and making more and achieving more…
What if, instead of all the more, it was only the one?
What if, instead of great and wonderful, it was only better?
What if, instead of being dressed in glamour, it was just plain old messy faithfulness?
What if, instead of a rush to do and be, it was an invitation to listen and become?
Allow heartfelt regard of these what-ifs today. Not the fear spurred version. Rather, the holy ones. The ones that may not look so pretty, because the hidden quiet faithful places usually aren’t. I wonder, what if we chose them still, and what if we devoted heart and soul there, electing not to distract or compound? What if we laid down the hustle and frenzy and picked up quiet intention in its place? What if we cleared away and stripped down to the simple musts and found our profound meaning there, and worried not with all the rest? What if we chose doing the one or two things God has placed before us today well, instead of a dozen other things half-hearted and worn? And what if that was all we accomplished? Would it be enough ?
What if we chose doing the one or two things God has placed before us today well, instead of a dozen other things half-hearted and worn? And what if that was all we accomplished? Would it be enough?
In case your own more culture is showing – in case you are unsure and dry and weary from fly-by-night frenzy – allow me to pour you a refreshingly fervent and wholehearted, ‘Hallelujah, AMEN! Yes ma’am it most certainly would be a grand and sacred success!’
Renewed in thought, let us then pursue with delight the simple and evident assignments at our feet. And may we do so with a heart satisfied, not in the potential accomplishments of this world, but fulfilled and empowered by the great love and purpose provided us in Jesus.
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15 comments
Yes. We must fight the temotation to be imvolved in everything. And dig deep into the simple life God calls us to.
You got it, Mandy! It is too easy to say “yes” to too many great and admirable things. But to be led by the Spirit in giving your heart to only those things He is asking of you is the truly praiseworthy ‘instead’.
Really glad I came across this today. Really neaded to read this. Thank you for taking the time to pour into this gift of writing He has given you…
Oh Tiffany!!!! This post is so special and I can’t wait to share it with the young moms I mentor who NEED to know their daily work is “enough”
Christa, thank you! You’ve blessed my day with your sweet words and the knowledge that these young moms will get an extra word of freedom and rest. It’s a lesson I’m learning daily!
This is SO good, Tiffany. You’ve offered us the same sober and freeing challenge your friend did at your table. Thank you!
Oh Kim, what an honor those sweet encouraging words are coming from a rock-star writer like yourself! Thank you, my dear friend!
I really needed this. I’ve been struggling recently with feeling like I’m not enough. I’m 24 and single, yet yearn to be a wife and a mother some day. But that feels so far out of my reach, and almost impossible. But it’s a very real desire for me. And the what-if’s that come with that have been driving me mad. Your article was so well timed. Thank you!
Heather, thank you for sharing your heart. I’m humbled to be part of Jesus’ tender wooing of you toward His peace. I can appreciate the ache of yearning and waiting. I’ll pray you continue to be encouraged in the knowledge that “all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” – Psalm 139:13-16. Each and every one holds precise moments mattering for eternity. Walking {with} you new friend!
Thank you for sharing this.
This is something that I’m currently struggling with. I’m going through a season in life where everything seems stuck and unmoving but my faith and relationship with God keeps growing.
It’s strange because this isn’t what I’m used to but its also so beautiful
I sat down today thinking about how others around me seem to run this race faster than me and they seem to be a lot further than I am; their appearance look like evidence of how far they’ve come. They’ve done great things, wear nice clothes. And I wondered why it feels like the standards are so high – is that how I’m suppose to look? Is that where I’m suppose to be?
I think God heard me. I found this article on my Pinterest feed while mindlessly scrolling.
Thank you for this reminder. God doesn’t pressure us to perform, but desires us to simply be – purely and honestly.
Raquel, I feel exactly the same! I had been wondering why I had not attained this level of success that others seem to wear so proudly. Reading this article and seeing your comment really brought things into perspective for me.
This is an amazing article. I shared it on Facebook. I too have been feeling like this. I stay at home and homeschool our son. I have felt so long that in this rat race of life that I need to be doing more. My husband tells me that I am doing more than enough. Having his kind words and reading this has been instrumental to my well being.
I have been feeling overwhelmed with being a mom to 3 littles and fighting anxiety and depression lately. It feels imposible right now. I work as a teacher and I am struggling to find balance and be content. I complain about everything and I am so negative right now. I guess doing it for a long time has made it harder for me to get out of this pit. I found this post and it really resonated with me. I am 32 years old and if being a mom to these kids and watch them grow to be God fearing humans is all I ever live to see, then I surrender all my dreams for this world. I have the best husband and these children are the only with eternal value that we have. I pray to be reminded of this everyday for the rest of my life. Thank you. Florencia from Argentina.
I’m a grandmother now. God is calling me to a simple life too. My life is loving my husband, children and grandchildren. It is tending my garden, preparing meals and caring for my home. It is prayer and Bible reading. It is enough. Sometimes it’s too much!