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the "what ifs" of life // Tuesday E-Devotion

Psalm 37:5 (nlt) --- Commit everything you do to the Lord . Trust him, and he will help you.

I remember the day like it was yesterday, and other days like it.

The phone rang and there on the other end was one of those dudes you just want to talk to. "Want to come work with us this summer," the guy asked. I answered swiftly, "Yeah, tell me more." Here was an invitation to work at one great church with some awesome people. It is my freshman year of College. The church was Rick Warren's Saddleback Church in California.

Man, was I on top of the world. In the ministry world full of opportunities, here was the giant, the once-in-a-lifetime type of deal. I pushed and prayed. I asked questions and did all I knew to do. Then another call came from the deep south, in the middle of no-where (or so I thought) Georgia. Where did I end up? Not my first choice.

When we left Georgia and moved to Virginia, we had first talked to a church in place not too many people know of. It was Brown Deer, Wisconsin. A little off the beaten path and a bit north of anywhere, that little town and church were looking for a pastor who was creative. I thought that was it. Then another call came from the furniture capital known as Bassett, Virginia. That is where we ended up.

I can tell you some more stories, but here is my point. God knows. God guides. It is time for us to follow Him.

Proverbs 14:2 (nlt) --- Those who follow the right path fear the Lord;those who take the wrong path despise him.

If I went to California, it would have been a great experience, but I most likely would have married Nellie from the land of fruit and nuts rather then Julie from the sweet onion capital of the world and the peach state. If we had gone to Wisconsin, we would have enjoyed great winters but missed some great times and the start of a great church in The Community Fellowship.

It is so easy to dwell on the "what ifs" of life. But to do that, we miss what God has done, is doing and wants to do in and through our lives. Think about it.

God didn't create us as accidents. We are His kids. He doesn't send us off to places or give us jobs to suffer in. God gives us opportunities to see Him and experience Him often.

Just a thought ... leave the "what ifs" for "look what God did" moments that we so desperately need. My thinking is that we will be surprised and even get excited 'cause God is doing some awesome things!

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