What If?

I recently read an interesting book entitled, What If? It is written by various historians who postulate what history would have been like if people, or the weather, or circumstances had been slightly different. What if Alexander the Great’s soldier friend had not saved his life before he conquered the world? What if the sentry had shot and killed George Washington during the early stages of the revolutionary war when he had him in his sights? What if Napoleon and Hitler had not foolishly chosen to invade Russia? Etc. etc. One author comments: “There are times when a short rest and a good breakfast could have changed history.” Perhaps this is the kind of book only a history major could love, but I am intrigued by the question of “what if?” What if Moses had not lost his temper in the wilderness and been allowed to enter he Promised Land? What if King Saul had not disobeyed God’s command and retained his divine anointing? What if King David had not sinned with Bathsheba? What if King Rehoboam had heeded the wise advice of his older counselors? . . . History is filled with potential what ifs.

Interestingly, even people like Billy Graham have commented that if they could live their lives over, they would do some things differently. In Graham’s case, he said he would have traveled less and studied more. Imagine! What if Billy Graham had been better prepared! Of course we don’t get a second chance at living our lives. We must therefore make sure that, with God’s help, we “get it right” the first time. Far too many of God’s people are filled with regrets over past decisions. I pray you are diligently seeking the mind of the Lord so you do not have to play “what if” with your life in the future.

Reading

I recently read Amazing Grace: William Wilberforce and the Heroic Campaign to End Slavery by Eric Metaxas. There is also a movie currently showing based on this story. What impresses me about Wilberforce is that he did not look like your “typical” statesman. He was quite small and sickly. He lost his father when he was young. His mother discouraged his devotion to Christ. Everything seemed to dissuade him from making his life count for God. Yet that is what he did. Not only did he fight for decades against the terrible evil of slavery, but he changed the way people thought. He raised the values and morals of an entire nation. Wilberforce was someone who found God’s great purpose for his life and he experienced the joy of seeing God use his life to change his world.

I also read Contemporary Issues in Leadership, 6th edition. I strongly encourage people to regularly read a book on leadership. Our world is desperate for people today who know how to lead.

Report

The Lord has been doing some amazing things! I was particularly blessed to be in Tallahassee recently to minister to state senators and members of the house. There is a tremendous ministry there that is seeking to minister to government leaders and to help them become statesmen. They estimate that 80% of government leaders in congress in Washington began their government career in their state legislature. This fine group is seeking to spread their ministry to every state capital in the U.S. Pray for them as they seek the Lord’s leading as they try to impact their nation for Christ.

Prayer

I would appreciate your prayers in May. I will be speaking to a large group of pastors in Brazil. God is mightily at work in that country and I want to encourage the pastors who are seeking to be spiritual leaders. I will also be speaking to a denominational gathering in Sydney, Australia. I would appreciate your prayers for my travel and that the Lord would give me the words to inspire them to reach their nation for Christ.

Posted by Richard Blackaby at 9:22 am