Site of the World Trade Center March 2007

Over the past two months, I’ve been thinking.  What wonderful things could have happened if Jacob had given his twin brother, Esau, the bowl of soup he requested, rather than selling it to him?

What would have happened had Jacob decided against tricking his father? What if he had decided against pretending to be his brother Esau?

What would have happened if Joseph’s brother had chosen to ignore their younger brother’s silly antics and their father’s favoritism toward the boy.  Understanding instead to bless their old father and the young son of his old age.  What would have happened?

I know. I’ve had the same thoughts.  God in his foreknowledge used their sin and selfishness to bring about his glorious deliverance of the entire nation of Israel.

But what would have happened had these men and women chose to do the best thing, the holy thing?  If God can work such glory out of hideous mistakes, what can he do with obedience and submission to his will and ways?

In chosing our own rocky path as Jacob and Rebekah and Issac and the Joseph’s brother did, we have seen the fulfillment of Romans, “All things work for the good of those who love the Lord and are called according to his purpose.”  But the lingering question has stirred my heart.  What if I choose God’s way, instead?  What would be the glory the world could encounter?  Dwight L. Moody said,  “The world has not seen the impact one man sold out to God can have.”

Within the mentally challenged community we often encounter parents of children who are born with disabilities.   Is it any wonder that these men and women may be plagued with the what ifquestions of life?  My question today is “What if our choices become Godly, holy paths in life?  Salvation means that we can choose God’s path, God’s way.  What if we DID choose God’s way?  What would happen then?