What If?

Our journey through the book of Acts has come to an end but my head is filled with questions.  What if?

What if I were willing to forgive those who hurt me, like Stephen forgives those who were stoning him?

What if I were fearless like Philip and willing to share the Good News of Jesus with people who are foreign to me?

What if I could encourage new believers like John?

What if I were bold like Peter?

What if I could sell a valuable commodity to support the spread of the Gospel like Barnabas?

What if I were willing to sacrifice my physical safety?

I’m familiar with Matthew 19:26b that says “… with God all things are possible.” and “…everything is possible for him who believes.” (Mark 9:13b NIV). But do I live, like Paul, really believing that: “I can do all things through him who strengthens me”? (Philippians 4:13 NIV)? Unfortunately, no. Too often I shop at the store of the enemy, buying his lies: “You’re not good enough.” However, throughout the Bible we’ve been shown that God can use whom he chooses: men, women, children, liars, adulteresses and murderers.  I’m a non-confrontational, risk-averse introvert so it’s not likely I will be as fearless as Philip or Paul, or bold like Peter. But who knows? Who would have ever believed that a former persecutor of Christians with a strong personality would endure beatings, trials, shipwrecks, and imprisonments for the name of Jesus?  

What if we had Isaiah’s mind set: “Here I am! Send me.” (Isaiah 6:8 NIV)?  There’s a verse I love in Matt Redman’s song “Send me Lord”  that says: “Let my life be the evidence, every breath be the evidence”. I pray that each of us can continue the wok that started in the book of Acts.

-Brenda Wooff