If

"If I only had a..." "If I just would have..." "If God would only..." The "if" game could go on and on and has gone on since the dawn of time.  Eve probably thought, If only God hadn't put that snake, or tree in the garden!" and Adam probably thought, If God hadn't taken that particular rib!"

Such a powerful little word, if.  It can call for a decision, such as, "If you eat of the tree, then you will surely die."  Cause and effect.  If, then.

It can also serve as an excuse maker, such as, "If you hadn't listen to that snake, then we wouldn't be in the jam we're in!" And then there's one of my favorites: "If you hadn't made us late, then I wouldn't have gotten that speeding ticket!"

It can also serve as a call to action.  Casting Crowns sings a song where the chorus says, "But if we are the body, Why aren't His arms reaching?  Why aren't His hands healing?  Why aren't His words teaching?  And if we are the body, Why aren't His feet going?  Why is his love not showing them there is a way?  There is a way."

As Christ-followers, our challenge is to live up to what we claim.  If we claim love as our foundational belief, then we must love!  If we believe that we are to serve those who are in need, then we need to at least look for them.  If we believe that there is a way, then we need to show The Way, and The Truth, and The Life!  We need to show them Jesus in everything we do, even when we're not thinking about it!