What if?

Many times, as we look back on a tragic situation, we tend to say, “Can you imagine if that had never happened?!” or “Think of how life would be right now had that never happened.” Even now during Covid-19: “Imagine if this pandemic had never happened.” Typically, during tragic situations there comes a point when we can’t help but imagine what life would be like, how much better life would be, had that tragedy never happened. I mean, you may wish Hurricane Michael hadn’t destroyed your home, right? You may wish Covid-19 hadn’t stolen your job, or your mother’s health, or your retirement. Things would be so much better, wouldn’t they?

I imagine that right after the crucifixion of Jesus, many probably felt this way. In fact, we see Jesus Himself practically say this when He asks God if He can avoid the painful crucifixion (Luke 22:42). What if God had said, “Okay Jesus. You’re off the hook. You don’t have to die for my people.” How would life be today? Well at the time, his followers would probably have rejoiced that their friend and Savior didn’t have to die a terrible death! They would have celebrated His life, instead of mourning His death. They would have celebrated that they had avoided the greatest tragedy of all time and that now with Jesus by their side nothing could ever go wrong. However, that celebration would only have lasted for a short time. Soon, and inevitably, they would do something foolish and need forgiveness, but would get none: Hebrews 9:22 says, “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” Soon, pain would be all around them with no end in sight, and they would run out of hope (Ephesians 2:8-10). Peace would be lost, and confusion would rule their lives (1 Corinthians 14:33). See God knew that only through the crucifixion of Christ could there ultimately be forgiveness. Only through His death would there be hope; would there be peace. If the death of Jesus had not have occurred, today we would be mourning death instead of celebrating everlasting life.

Those situations, those tragedies, in your life right now; don’t spend your time dwelling on “what if they’d never happened”. Instead celebrate that God does have infinite wisdom, that He does see what’s coming, and that perhaps this current pain might be the catalyst for hope you never imagined, for peace you never considered; that this pain might actually lead to celebration instead of mourning.

If the darkest moment had never happened, the greatest celebration could never be occurring. Rejoice that Jesus accepted that His Father loved Him and wanted to celebrate life with Him, even in His pain. Accept that your Father loves you and wants to celebrate life with you, even in your pain. God is good. All the time.