What If...

What if I chose not to follow Jesus?  Sometimes I wonder what life now would be like for me if I have chose a different path.  Its not that I long to be free from the loving Master, quiet the contrary I delight in my Savior.  After being a follower for 15 years, I just wonder how many of my choices were actually based on my commitment to Christ.  I am ashamed to say that I still do not filter everything through Him, but there have been some big choices that have set many events into motion.  At 16 years old I submitted to the call to preach the Gospel.  That led me to the pulpit in Zion Hill Baptist Church on many occasions.  Eventually I chose to attend the University of Mobile which is certainly not the choice I would make apart from Christ.  There I met life long friends, and my wonderful wife Amanda.  Would we even meet apart from the Lord?  I have pastored two churches since then and had many other speaking engagements.  If God has done anything through me for any of the people in those churches or events, that would all be gone.  I mentioned my wife, we have been blessed with 2 amazing children.  They are just awesome.  If I had never followed Christ I would never have had a front row seat to the development of these two miracles.  Most of the time we think and talk about the things that you have to give up in order to follow Him.  For me it seems that I would lose more by not following Him, I believe the same is true for all of us.