What if?

Matthew 5:3 - 10 NLT "3) God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. 4) God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5) God blesses who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. 6) God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied. 7) God blesses those who are merciful for they will be shown mercy. 8) God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God. 9) God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. 10) God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of heaven is theirs.

Lately it seems that there has been a lot of searching going on, searching for purpose, for answers, for direction. Not only in my own personal life, but in regard to our country and to the entire world.

I've been of the mindset mostly, that it doesn't matter how things transpire in this life. Especially when it comes to politics. And what do I care about the environment since Jesus is coming back soon and then all of us good Christians are going to go to heaven?

And what if I have been wrong this whole time? As I read Matthew 5 I realized it says God blesses each of these people and the word bless is used in the present tense, not in future tense. It does not say they will be blessed when they get to heaven, but that He blesses them.

With that being said, what if my whole concept about Christianity has been wrong? What if the gospel is more than just preaching salvation, although salvation is a very fundamental and key principle of the gospel.

And what if the things I do here are meant to be more than just to earn another jewel in my crown, or to earn a bigger mansion. And what if Heaven is actually closer than we think? And what if our purpose is so much more?

And what if when we pray "your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" that prayer affects so much more than just my own personal life? It affects those around me and the entire world.

And what if I have been very selfish? "I am saved, phew I'm going to make it in to Heaven. Sorry all of you suckers who don't believe and have never prayed the sinners prayer, and don't even know whaalst salvation means. I've got a free ticket to Heaven."

And what if the gospel is more than just a political message? And what if God wants to raise up people who can help to make our politics a little less corrupt?

And what if it's not all about me? What if it's also about the children working in slave camps in China, or the homeless person living on the street, or the mother who is dying from aids in Africa?

And what if I have become so focused on my goals, my achievements, my success, my education, my money that I fail to see the needs of others? Others that are unable to help themselves.

And what if I get upset because I feel God has not blessed me like he has the person sitting next to me in church? Is that what Christianity is about, me being blessed?

And what if the gospel is more than just a bumper sticker formula as Pastor Scott put it.

What if the gospel is real and raw? It does have the power to heal, to save, to restore, to bring hope to a dying world who are lost.

And what if being lost is defined by more than just someone living in sin who doesn't go to church? What if being lost is truly defined by what it is... being lost from God and stumbling around trying to find their way back home, their way back to Him. Not because of their sin, but because their is no one out there to help them find their way home.

"I have found my way... you are on your own."

What if?