Big Buts

Got a big but? Move it!

I wanna exercise but…

I want to write a book but…

I wanna learn Russian, but… blah, blah, blah!

Big buts are everywhere. Most people just learn to live with their buts. Some people have multiple buts.

I had a but last year: “I want go to Nepal and climb to Mt Everest Base Camp, but…” 

This year, with the help of friends, family, supporters, a Hindu Sherpa and a growing trust in God’s power, I made it. So, goodbye to that “but,” but there’s always another but behind that one. (No pun intended)

Ever been in conversations where someone kept trying to interject, “Yeah but?” In fact, I’ve probably thought it hundreds of times as I’ve read inspiring stories, watched challenging “Ted-Talks” and even listened to some of the greatest preachers on earth.

“I wanna have a more routine time of meditating and reading God’s word, but…”

“I want to live a purposeful life, but…” “I wanna believe God loves me, but…”

Get the idea? Big buts all over the place. Mine of course. (Not yours)

It’s time for more, “I CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens me” and less of, “Well, um, see, I could, but…”

A very successful businessman approached me as I got up from the piano and stepped off the stage the other day after church. He commented on how he saw me really living out my purpose in leading people in worship and encouraging them to wholeheartedly follow Jesus. This guy saw me on stage but didn’t see the myriad of obstacles I faced that very morning before stumbling up to the piano to “sing for Jesus.” Uncomfortable with all the kind words, I tried interjecting my “Yeah buts” everywhere I could, but he wasn’t having it. It’s like he couldn’t hear my resistance. 

I bet if we could hear God speak clearly to us (and He does, all the time) we’d hear words of grace and hope drown out every but that rears (OK, pun intended) its ugly head.

Maybe that businessman had learned the secret of changing, “Yeah buts…” to “Yeah, but God…”

Perhaps there’s a reason, “But God…” appears over 40 times in scripture.  Here’s a few:

~ “But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself.” Psalm 49:15

~ “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Genesis 50:20

~ “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26

So shake your buts off and start applying your own “But God can…” verses. This is the first and last blog I’ll close with… The end.

There’s no place like Hope,

Stefan Youngblood