Why Not?

As I was helping my wife to get ready for the day this morning, I began to consider my just completed Bible study time and the words “Why Not” popped into my mind.  After a few moments the familiar phrase gained some recognition as I remembered that it was a line from one of my favorite movies when the kids were growing up.  The 1979 Disney Movie entitled “The North Avenue Irregulars” is a zany story about a widowed new Pastor, his kids and a group of wacky women parishioners who take on the gambling syndicate in their hometown.  It stars a great combination of well known actors including Cloris Leachman, Karin Valentine (a former Miss Sonoma County- I might add!), Ruth Buzzi, Michael Constantine, Alan Hale Jr and Edward Hermin, who were in their prime when this was filmed.

As the story line goes, when the men of the church, in fear of retribution, refuse to assist the Treasury Department in the building of a case against the mob, the Pastor suggests the faithful women who regularly volunteer at the church.  At the first hilariously funny meeting between the two Treasury Agents and the church women that is held in the Children’s Sunday School room complete with miniature tables and chairs, the Agent in charge thinks that the request is absurd and says it wouldn’t work.  The women and the Pastor all begin to talk at once and the second agent finally relents, looks at Marv (the supervising agent) and says “Why Not?”

I won’t tell you the whole story as I would encourage you to watch the film (It is actually available at Walmart.com, Amazon, The Disney Store and at Overstock.com).  It is especially enjoyable when you view it in the mind-set of the late 1970’s with a thought to the clothing styles, film technology of the day and the whole culture of that period.  The movie still causes me to break into uncontrollable laughter with its various array of clichés, car chases, CB talk, Presbytery stereotypes, and slapstick comedy. 

In the end the assistant agent’s “Why Not” overrode the Lead agents “What If” and the women had their time in the glow of victory as indictments are brought against the mob, and as a key force behind the Presbytery’s decision to re-open the North Avenue Presbyterian Church. The movie concludes with a scene of a service in front of the burnt out shell of the church (gotta see the movie to find out why and how this happened…) as a “Monkies” look-a-like band begins to play and everyone rejoices… complete with kids dancing the "Twist!"

It was actually the power behind the idea of “What If” that brought meaning to my Bible time today and triggered my walk down memory lane in the context of “The North Avenue Irregulars.”  As I continued to study God’s Love in contrast to Fear in I John 4:16-21, I came to the personal realization that “Godly LOVE is the answer to all my questions!” While I froze and meditated on the powerful revelation of this statement, I heard the following thought:

“Any situation, any need, any question, any relationship, and any person that is  

 approached with the complete absence of fear will be boldly and confidently and clearly faced and resolved within the realm and sphere of God’s unlimited, unending provision and grace.  In this mode of operation we become an immovable and undefeatable force for God.”

This is God’s LOVE in action!  When you look around at popular media sources today, you begin to see that one of the underlying suggestions (that is normally unspoken) that is used to motivate the general public to make decisions, is based on the question of “What If.”  And most times the “What If” relates to a negative event that might occur if you do not choose correctly.  Think about that for a moment.  How many times, when you are considering a course of action, do you stop and consider “What If?”  Now, don’t get me wrong here, sometimes that is a helpful step.  But too many times it is the death blow to a course of action that will cause you to step out in faith and directly into God’s unlimited, unending provision and grace.

As a simple example, I have come across countless individuals, over the years, who stay stuck in a job that they hate, one that is zapping them of their zeal for God and life and hurting their family life as well, simply because they are afraid to step out and trust the Lord when He has given them a clear vision to follow.  The “What If” has stopped them cold!  I’m sure that each of you can think of many examples of the faith destroying “What If” in your own life as well as in the lives of those around you.

What is the answer?  The answer lies in Marv’s yielding to his partner’s “Why Not!”  “Why Not” trust the Lord and the truth of His Word?  “Why Not” take that first step of financial, emotional and personal freedom and see Him “supply all of your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus?” (Philippians 4:19 KJV) “Why Not” cast off the hopelessness of what medical science may say about the sickness that’s invaded your body or a loved one and see the miraculous manifestation of “by whose stripes you were healed?” (I Peter 2:24 NKJV) “Why Not” let go of anxiety and sleepless nights and “cast your care upon him; for he careth for you?” (I Peter 5:7 KJV)  “Why Not” throw in the towel on fear and despair and witness His promise “to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us?” (Ephesians 3:20 NKJV)

                                                      “WHY NOT?”

Have a great day.  Stay in tune to His Word, and keep asking yourself… “What am I expecting today?”