"IF" is an interesting idea. It is a contingency, a construct of our most fundamental ideas of logic (i.e. if/then lines of argument), and a key basis of possibility. Something that may happen depending on another thing. One intriguing aspect of "IF" to me is how many people wait around for life to happen to them, as if "life" is going to reach out and slap them right in the face IF [such-and-such] occurs, and THEN their whole life is going to start. Think about it like this:
Joe Smith (John Doe was unavailable for this illustration, sorry) hates his job, and really, mostly his life. He feels stuck, but he just knows that IF the perfect opportunity comes around, he will be able to jump on it, and capitalize, and love his life, and make his wildest (and inarticulated) dreams come true and all the while, life really is happening, and just happens to be passing him by while he sits and stews and whines and complains about everyone and everything that is not happening for him and/or going his way. And while it is so cliche to say "Don't let life pass you by," how many people sit and daydream about their perfect IF that will change their circumstance?
I think the problem is less circumstantial, and more attitudinal in nature.
I think people would be better served to quit complaining about their circumstances, and DO something constructive about it (or in some cases DO NOTHING).
I will be the first to admit, I can be a world-class complainer, the kind of person who can rally a whole group of sympathizers and reasons and bulletproof logic around me and take my issue(s) to the streets and tell the world and make everybody hear it and at the end of the day, I have accomplished exactly NOTHING. Sure, I might have the sympathy of a few friends, but I have also probably wreaked havoc on their attitudes with my complaining and whining and bitching and moaning. And while it is great to have friends to vent to from time to time—we all need that once in a while—nobody needs that kind of negative energy polluting their life, especially not from a dedicated whiner, and especially not when they have problems and tough circumstances of their own. The word 'drip' comes to mind. So does 'needy', and neither one of those are really labels I want associated with my name.
But back to the point at hand. Just as soon as I can be Captain Complainer, I also have the same propensity to be very proactive, very action-oriented, and I can make a change in my life instead of waiting for something to happen to me. I can lead, I can take steps in the right direction, and I can march diligently towards my goals and ambitions and calling with the support of friends and family and of course GOD. And if I truly trust the LORD has a plan to prosper me (Jer 29:11, everyones' favorite refrigerator verse), and being confident of that, the LORD will carry HIS plan out in my life to completion (Phil 1:6), then I do not have to worry, or complain, or whine, or gripe. AND! (this is a big AND) even if I am unsure of what to do, or I feel stuck, or life feels directionless, I can still trust the LORD has my back, that He will make His plan known in time, and sometimes I just need to sit and wait it out (and I am not very good at this one yet, writing this out can be telling me just as much as anyone else!) and just BE where I am 100%, making the most of my days, even if that means [for me] folding shirts or bartending at a restaurant I am not always happy to be at.
The last thing is I do not think that "if" is necessarily negative; on the contrary, it gives us a framework to hope and dream. IF can serve as the ultimate motivator, the sliver of hope we need in a dark situation, the exciting possibility that keeps us moving. The difference here is simply in perspective—rather than using IF as an excuse or a reason to become stagnant or discouraged, I can look at it as a chance to redouble my efforts, or pray harder, or whatever. I never want to incorporate a sense of entitlement with IF, because sometimes, even IF I work hard enough, and do a better job, and pay all of my dues, pray harder, etc, circumstances might not work out the way I had imagined.
I love the power of possibility, and even "what-if", I just never want it to hinder me in my life from being involved or proactive.
Thoughts? What do you think about "IF"—if anything ;)
-patrick
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