“What If?”

“What if?” is a great question to ask in many areas of life: Individuals and families, organizations and businesses, schools and government, community and church. “What if?” helps us to think outside the box, think forward, think big, and dream mind exploding dreams of the future. Recently I was reading Psalm 133 and some “What if?” questions began to flood my mind. 

After reading and reflecting on this passage I began to contemplate what would it look like, what effect would it have in families, churches, ministries, organizations, governments…if…God’s people really learned to live together in harmony, in unity and love. 

            David penned and quoted these words while ascending the south steps of the temple in Jerusalem to worship and give praise. I picture him walking slowly up the steps recalling the strife, attacks of Saul, of betrayal by a close companions, a son, an advisor and anticipating a time when there would be peace in the kingdom he ruled over and whispering, speaking, maybe shouting, “How good and pleasant, how wonderful it is when…brothers, sisters, God’s people, his followers, his body…dwell, live together, co-exist, work, serve…in harmony, unity, oneness, true love and acceptance.”

            In verse 2, he describes this harmony, unity, beauty as the “precious oil on Aaron’s head, running down on his beard and the collar of his robe.” 

“This imagery from the priesthood was appropriate because of the pilgrims being in Jerusalem. The oil poured on Aaron’s head flowed down on his beard and shoulders, and onto the breastplate with the names of all 12 tribes. The oil thus symbolized the unity of the nation in worship under their consecrated priest. As the oil consecrated Aaron, so the unity of the worshipers in Jerusalem would consecrate the nation under God.” Ross, A. P. (1985). Psalms. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 888). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

            He continues in verse 3, to describe this oneness, cooperation, living, working together as “the dew of Herman, which falls on the mountains of Zion.”  Picture the Smoky, Rocky, Grand Tetons or any other mountain range you are familiar with, fog hanging over, bringing dew, moisture and refreshment to the atmosphere, plants and animals.  “The dew of Hermon was heavy; it symbolized what was freshening and invigorating. The refreshing influence of the worshiping community on the nation was similar to the dew on vegetation.” Ross, A. P. (1985), (Vol. 1, p. 888). How refreshing, life giving, longed for. If you google the word, “hiking” you will pull up 830 million sites. Wikipedia gives this explanation, “Hiking is a long, vigorous walk, usually on trails or footpaths in the countryside. Walking for pleasure developed in Europe during the eighteenth century. Religious pilgrimages have existed much longer but they involve walking long distances for a spiritual purpose associated with specific religions.” No wonder outdoors industries are booming and speak to the longing of humanity to experience God’s creation-mountains, lakes, oceans, hills and valleys, desserts and plains, canyons, streams, rivers, creeks, trees and forest,

As I contemplated these things, I began to think, to ask . . . “What if?”

God’s people learned to live together in harmony, in unity? What if marriages began to experience and demonstrate the oneness Christ desires that spilled over into the family, immediate and extended?

Then Abram said to Lot, “Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, for we are kinsmen. 9 Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you take the left hand, then I will go to the right, or if you take the right hand, then I will go to the left.” (Ge 13:8–9,ESV)

18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. (Ephesians 5:18-20,ESV)

God’s people truly loved one another as Christ commanded us? Words he shared in an upper room with his disciples on the eve of the greatest demonstration of love ever observed, His death on a criminals cross for you and me.

34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”  John 13:34–35 (NLT)

• God’s people were truly one as Jesus prayed we would be? For me and you, our brothers and sisters to experience the same oneness and uninterrrupted relational harmony experienced by God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Can you imagine that?

20 “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.22 “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. 23 I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. 24 Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began! John 17:20–24 (NLT)

• God’s people went all out for unity and harmony with one another? What if, we, His children, His chosen inheritance, His bride andn body, put aside surface, external differences and stood up for each other, even if it cost us personally.

Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. Ephesians 4:1–3 (NLT)

• God’s people crossed church building and denominational lines to express love and support for each other? What if a Baptist who is a follower of Jesus intentionally made a lunch appointment with a Presbyterian who is a followr of Jesus to get to know his or her intimate relationship with Jesus to pray for, to grow with, to praise Jesus together?

²⁶ for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. ²⁷ For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. ²⁸ There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. ²⁹ And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise. Galatians 3:26–29 (ESV)

• God’s people put personal relationships above profitability? What if an owner considered his employees of more value than himself and invested in their lives, not just through an increased hourly wage, but through personal and meaningful ways that communicated value, importance, purpose to each employee? What if an employee gave their very best effort to complete, fulfill their job responsibilities, not for the paycheck they will receive at the end of a pay period, but for the glory and honor of Jesus?

Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. 25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality 4 Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. Colossians 3:22–4:1 (ESV)

• God’s people crossed political, cultural, racial, gender and sexual orientation identities to express pure and promising love and concern for each other? What if we, the people of God could set aside our biases, prejudices, judgment, not to accept immoral behavior or beliefs, but to love unconditionally as Christ loves us, not accepting our sin or wrong beliefs but dying for us and lovingly calling us to righteousness and truth?

14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.” John 10:14-18, ESV

• God’s people put the fame of God’s name above their name, church name, business name, school name, and every other name they might be identified by?

9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9–11 (ESV) 

If the above statements began to become reality in families, churches, neighborhoods, communities, cities and states, countries and nations, I believe the third great awakening could sweep this world. The Gospel would be shared with renewed credibility and power. People would be attracted to the Gospel and the people of God with an nearly irresistible pull, stronger than the strongest ocean current or ripe tide, the force of a Category 5 hurricane or F5 tornado. People living in the cold, darkness of a family, community, state and nation devoid of love, respect, value for life would be attracted to the church (not the programs, building, personalities, worship styles, or social benefit) but the beautiful body and bride of Christ, like we are attracted to the light and warmth of a fire at a campsite, in a back yard burn pit or fireplace on a cold, dark winter night. People would be stopped in their tracts as we often are by an amazing sunrise, sunset or moonlit night. Lives, families, neighborhoods and communities, churches and cities, states and nations would be transformed from the inside out. It could be the ushering in of the kingdom of heaven on earth with the return of our Savior and Lord, Jesus!

Before you think I have been injecting or smoking some hallucinogenic substance, take a few moments, a few hours and read the scriptures above and ask a different question, “Why not?”. That is the question I wish to reflect on and write about next. Watch for a follow up article to come out soon, “Why not?”, from Ephesians 3:14-21.