Almost

The path to hell is paved with good intentions.

One of my favorite preachers, Bro. Jerry Jolly, used to say this all the time.  And it's true.  So many people intend to get saved.... after they've lived it up awhile, enjoyed their youth, got their act together, or cleaned up their lives for Christ.  They've got time, right?

Not only is this line of thinking faulty, it's dangerous.

But what if this quote could be interpreted another way.  What if all the things I intend to do (and don't) might potentially prevent others from coming to Christ?  Is there a point in life when good intentions just don't matter?  A point where all that matter is what actions we took regarding those good intentions?

I believe so.

For the past several years I've been wanting to go on a mission's trip.  For me, this is one of those things that you don't even have to pray about.  God said "Go" and not only did He say "Go" but He followed with "into all nations."  Might missions trips include something within the community?  Yes.  The state, country?  Yes.  But might it also mean ALL nations?  Indeed.  I've been so close to signing up to go.

I almost did it..... Yet millions upon millions of people have never heard the name of Jesus.

It's no secret, Mark and I want to adopt.... at some point.  What point is that exactly?  When we have it all together, have the money in hand, when the opportunity just falls in our laps?  We've been to the point of contacting agencies for information.

We almost got the process started.  All the while God has commanded us to care for the widows and the orphans.  While I almost took the leap, there in orphanages around the world sit sweet precious babies waiting for someone to love them and teach them about how Christ adopts us into His family.

There are so many areas that I almost conquered.  Some of these may be familiar to you too.

I almost invited them to church....

I almost volunteered to serve in that particular ministry.

I almost gave to that charity that said they were in need of funding.

I almost raised my hand to say I'd teach that class.

I was almost  patient today.  Almost more submissive.

... Almost...

The path to hell is paved with good intentions.

Does that ever put that quote in perspective for me!  Sometimes good intentions just aren't enough.

I think the overwhelming factor that goes in to all of these things is fear.

Fear....

I know it's something I battle with.  I play the "What if" game.  What if I sign up to go on a missions trip..... then, then, then I have to fly on a plane for how many hours??  What if I don't know what to say?  What if they reject what I'm trying to tell them?  What if??

What if I start the adoption process and I get pregnant.  Then we'll have wait even longer, lose money, etc.  What if we just wait until we have another one and then start the process?  What if?

What if I invite them to church and they don't come?  What if they laugh at me?

What if I say I'll serve and don't know what I'm doing?

What if I give to charities and then need that money?

What if.....

What if I said "I'll do it anyway?"

What if all God's people stopped worrying about the what ifs, stopped hashing things over and over in our minds and instead just got to work doing what God has already commanded us to do?

I think the world would be a better place.

Because our God is greater than all our fears.  He's stronger than any excuses we throw His way.  And He's higher than all the almosts.

Our God is greater, our God is stronger, God you are higher than any other.
Our God is Healer, Awesome in Power, Our God! Our God!

Our God is greater, our God is stronger, God you are higher than any other.
Our God is Healer, Awesome in Power, Our God! Our God!

And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us.
And if our God is with us, then what could stand against.
And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us.
And if our God is with us, then what could stand against.
Then what could stand against.