Then What?

Then What?

I have a son that is 3 weeks older than his cousin. Almost immediately we could see that these 2 boys couldn't be more differentJ! It has made us chuckle many times to watch how each one will handle a situation in their own little way. Kolt (mine) is a full speed ahead kind of kid. He doesn't take time to think through the fact that bones may break if he jumps off of something tall; that running full speed with your hands full may result in a face plant. He just goes. Ethan (my nephew) is the polar opposite. You can almost see his wheels turning as he contemplates the consequences of each choice before he makes it. He has a great grasp of the need of asking himself "then what?" before making a series of choices that will only land him in trouble or get him hurt.

I have had the opportunity, if that's what you want to call it, to watch many people (including myself) make some wrong choices that have landed them on a road they never imagined existed much less that they would travel it! It was one that they didn't choose out right, but rather got there by not stopping and thinking before plowing ahead with their own agendas. They failed to ask themselves the "then what?" question.

Sin has a really tricky way of trapping us before we even know that we are walking on thin ice. It can start out really innocently. It ALWAYS is a progression! Here are some examples. Just imagine how different it could have been if the "then what" question would have been applied at the beginning of these situations.

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  Getting to know someone and claiming that you only held hands…nothing was hurt…then what? Where will it lead from there? A little kiss? Then what?
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  You were at a party and only tasted the mixed drink. Everyone was doing it and it wasn't like you got drunk…then what? The next weekend you realize that nothing happened with a little sip, so why not try just a little more…then what?
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  You were swamped at school and could barely keep up, cheating didn't really count because you were only doing it this one time to not fall behind further…then what? It was pretty easy and really convenient…maybe just one more time!...then what?
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  You were too tired to wake up for church…your week was so packed, you just needed this one day to sleep in…then what? The next week you have something going on that you just can't miss, and the following week you have to clean the house, etc…then what?
  
  
  
  Are you getting the picture yet? One little time left unchecked can and will easily lead you to many more times of making wrong choices that turn into addictions and habits. In every one of these situations you find yourself looking back and wondering how you ever let yourself get so far off track.
  
  
  
  I want to paint a different "then what" picture. One that hopefully will leave you wanting something different than what your life may be looking like right now!

Imagine getting up 15 minutes(or more) early every day to start it in Bible study…then what? Then as you walk through your day, you pray continually, never breaking your dialogue with God…then what? You seek Him before making decisions and strive to have your choices match up to His Word…then what? He begins to stir your heart and equips you to do some pretty amazing things!...then what? You find opportunities to share Him with others around every corner….then what? You lead people to a stronger and deeper relationship with Him…then what? You see change start to happen in the community around you…then what? You find yourself smack dab in the middle of God's Will for your life..then what…you grow old…you look back on a life that was jam packed with making Jesus famous!…then what…you hear this:

Mt 25:21 "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!"

Now look over the two roads that you can choose. Know without a doubt that every choice has a "then what". Would you rather find yourself hurt, broken, and beat up, or does it make more sense to stop yourself right now. Be still before God and ask Him the "then what" question. There may be something right now in your life that will only lead you to a lot more headache than you want. Especially when it can all be avoided!

You many think that you can handle whatever it is you are doing, but let me assure you that you are not as invincible as you think. Anytime you put yourself in situations where the end result could land you in trouble, you can bet that satan is right there beside you saying that just one more step won't hurt anything! GUARNTEED!

We are stronger than this! We have a God that is stronger than this! He has equipped us with the Holy Spirit to fight the schemes of satan. Don't give in, don't give up and certainly don't run ahead without asking yourself exactly what will be the "then what"!

1John 4:4 "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world."