We are all guilty of making “if...then” statements, aren’t we?! There always has to be an answer to achieving our dreams or a reason for our problems. And the dreamer or the complainer in us all will make a comfortable home for these infamous answers in between the words, “if” and “then.” “If I can just make more money, then I can not worry about this.” “If I can just get married, then I won’t struggle with this.” “If I could just get a new job, then I would be happier.”
Looking at if’s is not a bad thing. Like I said, for the dreamer in us, it can help us imagine all the big things that can happen for us. You can get you a new job, a spouse, more financial provision, etc. But it's so important to remember that your healing is not in the presence of things. We expect that when we can gain a worldly gift or opportunity that it will change things for us. In some instances it can, in others, it may not. You could win the lottery but still be depressed. You could find a husband but still feel alone.
We spend a lot of time imagining the joys that the end result of something we are hoping for will bring. We imagine that once you reach a certain destination or receive a certain blessing that you will then gain freedom from certain struggles. But focusing on an imaginatory gain doesn’t prepare us to get to that destination. I wish it was as easy as the show “I dream of Jeannie” and I could just do a little head nod with my arms crossed and be where I want to be and have what I want to have but it doesn’t work that way for us. The truth is, we don’t know what will bring our breakthrough or blessing, so we can’t just sit around waiting for our “if” to happen. We have to start our journey to getting it from where we currently are in life. And when we can commit to the process of getting to our desired places, when we reach it, we will have worked out so many of our issues, hurts, pains, insecurities, etc. in the bumps and curves of the journey that we will be prepared to receive all that is for us.
There is a price to the process. It cost something to change. And that’s what so many of us are hoping for right? Some sort of change. There are very few of us that feel as if we have arrived. Most of us have dreams and goals that are still unreached. And when you look at another person and think they have it all, remember that just like you, they feel like they have yet to achieve all that they want in this life.
But the good new is, change is possible, but it isn’t just going to happen. Just like before you head out of town on a trip you have to do things in order to prepare to arrive at your destination. You have to fill your gas tank, you have to map out the route, you have to make sure your oil is changed, and you are prepared for everything to get you there.
I heard a pastor say one time that you can not pay for change but the price you pay is in the process that leads to change.
So by the time we experience a change in our life it is by a price that we have been paying for days, months, years in advance. If we don’t count the cost of where we want to go then we will be thrown off course every time our tire blows or the gas tank needs to be refilled. We’ll be disappointed every time we put our hope in a worldly blessing just to find out it can’t fulfill us like God’s love can.
When it comes time to pay for our process sometimes we will feel the weight of the price and want to quit the journey or maybe never even begin. But when we have already come to terms with what the change will cost then we don’t grow weary in the challenges.
So where are you hoping your future will take you. Do you want that new job? Do you want to lose that 10 pounds? Do you want to overcome depression? Do you want better friends? Do you want to spend more time with your family?
Once you have imagined the change, don’t put all your effort into the hope it could bring you. Start counting the cost. What price will you have to pay to gain new friendships? Will you have to go to church alone? Will you have to join a life group and endure the awkwardness of being the new girl? Will you have to give up something in order to spend time with your family? Will you have to go to the gym more than once a week or give up your white mocha latte’s?
Change is ahead of you but it doesn’t come without a price. You must imagine, commit, adjust your plan on how to arrive there not just on what you think you will receive once you get there. Trust in the Lord’s provision, and keep moving forward even when challenges come your way. You must believe that the payment will be worth it. Use your “if, then” statements to motivate you to take a step forward instead of using it as a crutch to avoid committing to the journey. If you’re going to reach your destiny, if you're going to reach your freedom, THEN what is it going to cost you? Pay the price willingly and you will surely reap all the benefits.
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