Life would be great if only . . .
Posted on May 27, 2010 by Pastor Tom
Do you ever feel like that? “If only this wasn’t going on. If only I was more like . . . If I only I had that.” Joni Eareckson Tada has some great perspective on this. I hope it encourages you today.
Life Would Be Great If Only…
In Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.
—Colossians 2:9–10
What do quadriplegics (people whose hands and legs are paralyzed) daydream about? Running a marathon? Ballroom dancing? Climbing a mountain? Many of us have scaled down our fantasies. In my weaker moments, I’m tempted to think life would be great if only I were a paraplegic – then I could use my hands. I see paraplegics transfer themselves out of their wheelchairs into their own beds, reach for items in the refrigerator, wash dishes at a sink and quickly sort through the mail. Then old feelings of disappointment start to slink back into my heart.
Even able-bodied people look at others who seem more attractive, smarter, richer, healthier, and who get all the breaks in life. In comparison, our minor defects begin to look like deformities. Thankfully, the Bible has good advice for people prone to compare. Paul tells us we have been given “fullness in Christ.” In other words, we are complete in Him. We have everything. We lack nothing. There’s no need to compare. Once we comprehend this truth, our so-called defects become reminders of how “full” we are – because we have “fullness in Christ.” The inferiority complex releases its grip. We become content.
I wouldn’t be happier if I were a paraplegic rather than a quadriplegic. The fullness of Christ dwells in me, even with my infirmities. Therefore, I will gladly boast as a quadriplegic. After all, you can’t improve on “complete.”
In what ways do you feel incomplete, inadequate, or less than you had hoped? Rather than seeing these as insufficiencies, realize you are lacking in nothing. Why? Because Christ dwells in you. Bask in that knowledge for a few, quiet moments and feel yourself relax into contentedness.
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Lord, help me to keep from drumming up “if only” scenarios in my mind. Fill my thoughts with satisfaction in you and in whom you have fashioned me to be.
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