What If?

A comment that was made in lecture caught my attention and prompted me to truly think through the implications of several mind boggling questions. What if our wonderful God did not possess some of the attributes that are so crucial to His greatness and identity? If our God lacked even one element, would he, could he love us or comfort us as he does? Could he have sent his son to atone for our sins if he lacked compassion and forgiveness? Could he even be God if he lacked justice and holiness?
What if God was not a forgiving God? What if, when Adam and Eve gave to Satan the power and dominion of the earth through their sin, there was no way to atone for that? The consequences would have been radically changed our world. In history there would have been no need for sacrifices. There would be no joy or thanksgiving, no temple or worship. Before the world began, before God created our galaxy, God knew that because he gave us a free will, man was going to sin. If God was not a forgiving God, would he even have created us, knowing that we would turn away from him? Because of his loving nature, could he have breathed life into us, knowing that we would be lost in our trespasses? In an eternal view, we would all be doomed to an eternity of separation. Not only would we be separated on earth, our sins would eternally separate us from God, and we would all be doomed to hell, burning in our just reward for our sinfulness.
What if God was not a compassionate God? Because he knows our every sin and fault, we would be forever lost! If he did not love us, if he did not cherish us, then he would never have sent his Son to redeem us, to pay the price so that we could be children of God and stay with him for eternity. If he was not compassionate, our hearts would ache and cry out in misery. If he was not compassionate, he would not reach down and comfort our hearts, encourage us through his Word, nor send us gracious blessings.
What if God was not a just God? What if he purely loved us with no thought to what is right? He would not be a Holy God then. God must be just and do what is right, for he is God! He created the world and its boundaries, the moral codes and laws, the allowances of sin and evil. He must be just, or he contradicts his very nature of being a Holy God.
However, in light of these questions, I am incredibly grateful that I may never truly fear these questions. The Bible states, “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable.” Is. 40:28. Our God has so compassionately, forgivingly, and justly told us, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name, you are mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scored, nor the flame burn you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy one of Israel, your Savior” (Is. 43: 1-3). Our God is Holy, just, forgiving, and compassionate. Of this we may never have doubt, due to the Word that he so lovingly gave us.

I can hardly believe that the year 2009 has already arrived, but more so, that I have made it to where I am now! Looking back, I have seen God grow, stretch, test, nourish, love, and break me, and the growth resulting has been enormous and humbling. I am so grateful for all God has done, and I look forward to what he will do in the future!
Awhile ago I was mapping out the route from MN to KY for the drive back to school. I am navigator, so it is very important that I know where I'm going, and where I want to be! Being directionally challenged, it has been a learning experience as I find my way through atlases, map quest, and my dad's wisdom. It has made me grateful for the fact that God is my navigator, and that he knows exactly where I'm going! Some of the time, I try to take over the map and figure out my own way, but as long as I let God do the navigating and follow his directions instead of making my own, I'll be just fine. That is a huge relief for me because I'm very directionally challenged when it comes to life!
So a new year comes with new life, experiences, growth, and purpose. I look forward to what God may have for me, and I am so excited to see where God is going to take me! My life verse is Is. 40:29-31.
"He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might he increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigourous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up on wings as eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary."
It is so easy to keep our eyes on the road and get tangled up in all the problems and issues of our life. However, it is with the Lord's strength that we rise on wings as eagles and get a glimpse of the big picture of eternity. It is my hope in this coming year to keep my eyes on the Lord and to rise above the turmoils and look at life with a bird's eye view.
This is part of the reason I began this blog, to put some landmarks on the map of my life. I have no idea where God's going to take me, but if you're willing, I'll take you along for the ride! God bless!