Photo and Commentary ©2025 by Shelley Schurch
Sunday, March 9, 2025
We see this word every time we cross the street in our cul-de-sac, coming and going from our daily walks. At least we view it as a word; we’re not really sure what these marks mean. They were spraypainted on our street many months ago, probably by a utility company.
We choose to read it as the word, “IFS.”
It was only a couple of days ago that I started musing, as I crossed our street and read it again, on the “ifs” in life. I thought immediately of the phrase, “no ifs, ands, or buts about it” – a statement of absolute certainty.
If we slim the word down to its singular “if,” here’s what came quickly to mind:
“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. ” (Sound advice. Or laziness.)
“If only . . . ” (A plaintive tone; yearning, or regretful.)
“What if . . . ” (Wondering, brainstorming, imagining.)
“If . . . /then . . .” (Conditional statements, promises, warnings.)
And I could continue. “If” is a small word that travels far and wide, including throughout the Bible. By one account, “if” shows up 1,784 times in the NIV Bible.
What “ifs” do you think of in the Bible?
I didn’t have to strain my brain to think of any – here are some of my favorites:
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. (James 1:5 NIV)
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (I John 1:9)
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17)
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34, 35)
And, yes, I could continue; there’s so much more where those came from! Not all of them are as positive in tone; some are more admonitory or cautionary. But the verses I’ve shared above breathe so much hope and provision. They speak of our generous God who is with us and for us. And even the “ifs” which carry warnings come from a God who warns because He deeply loves and cares for us.
As we continued our walk on that day when I’d begun my “if-musing,” I started humming a tune, which I shared with my husband. He recognized it, found a rendition, and played it on his phone. As we walked in the sunny morning with crocuses and other promises of spring surprising us here and there, the glorious music from Felix Mendelssohn’s “Elijah” oratorio rang out in this promise:
If with all your heart ye truly seek me,
Ye shall ever truly find Me,
Thus saith our God.
IF you’d like to hear that same music, I’m including a link below.*
IF we remember God’s good promises, they will brighten our path as we step into this brand-new week.
*Richard Tucker – If With All Your Hearts (Carnegie Hall, 4/11/1952)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auACwsaLRaw