"If Only" "But even now!"
Reading in John 11 this morning, Jesus arrives in Bethany to visit deceased Lazarus.  His sister Martha meets Jesus with “If only you had been here.”  We ourselves often use what I’ve found to be a useless phrase.  We can’t change present circumstances to “if only”.  The “if only” of life is futile.

But Martha also demonstrates strong faith adding: “But even now”.  The late arrival of Jesus at this time brings hope.  “Even now” God can make a difference.  

As Christ-followers, we can either get stuck in the “if only”, or with Christ’s presence we can say “Even now!”  He makes the difference between “if only” and “even now”.

Lesson for Leaders: Tozer Quote

There are signature quotes that I keep going back to over and over for insight and understanding.

One of them is the classic quote from A.W. Tozer:

“It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until He has hurt him deeply.”

I go back to that repeatedly when I’ve been wounded in life’s journey.  

I’ve experienced deep loss, unfair hurt, painful betrayal, dull disappointment along the way.

But as deep as those hurts, God has mellowed me, shaped me, disciplined me to a place He can bless me greatly and use me effectively.

Allow God to use the hardships and hurts of your life to make you mature, complete and usable in God’s work.