If Only…

Frank Himmel

• If only my boss wouldn’t be so rude and domineering, I would try harder and be more cooperative at work. “Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable” (1 Peter 2:18).
• If only my husband weren’t so lazy and self-centered, and would treat me like I deserve, I would go back and live with him. “. . . wives, be submissive to your husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior” (1 Peter 3:1-2).
• If only people would quit taking advantage of me, I would maintain a better disposition. “To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead” (1 Peter 3:8-9).
• If only the brethren were friendlier and that preacher not so dry, I would go to church more often. “. . . let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another . . .” (Hebrews 10:24-25).
• If only I had more income and less bills, I would give a lot more. “. . . in the churches of Macedonia . . . in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality” (2 Corinthians 8:1-2).
• If only my family would be more supportive, I would become a Christian. “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me . . .” (Matthew 10:37).

Do you notice that what God expects of us, He expects regardless of our particular circumstances? Instead of excusing ourselves due to adverse conditions, let us commit ourselves to our Creator and Benefactor. If only we would be like Jesus, who said, “. . . I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me” (John 5:30). He not only said it, He lived it — even to the point of death.