Where you place the word “but” makes a huge difference.
For example, when you put BUT before GOD, it tells a story of how God changes everything.
THE “BUT GOD” STORY
The words “But God” appear more than 40 times together in the Bible.
Romans 5:7-8 (NIV), “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
It’s the “But God” statement that saves Christians; a statement that tells the story with the power to save us all.
The Bible is full of “But God” moments, or turning points where life really should have gone one way, but God took it in a completely different direction. The list below is adapted from an article entitled “But God, the Believer’s Semicolon”:
*Noah, his family, and the animals would have been floating in the water forever; But God (Gen. 8:1).
*Abraham would have been mourning his son; But God (Gen. 22).
*David would have been captured by Saul; But God (1 Samuel 23:14).
*Jonah would have died inside of the large fish; But God (Jonah 2:10).
*Joseph’s brothers set out to harm him; But God (Acts 7:9-10).
*Jesus, in His human form, was crucified and buried; But God (Acts 13: 29-30).
*Believers were lost in sin; But God (Romans 5:8).
*The cost of sin is death for the Believer; But God (Romans 6:23).
*Believers were dead in their trespasses and sin, controlled by Satan and willingly fulfilling the desires of the flesh; But God (Ephesians 2: 1-10).
I can think of several “But God” moments in my own life. Moments when I felt I was on top of the world, but God changed my direction to humble me. Moments when I felt so lost and sad, but God restored me and showed me joy. Moments when I thought my broken relationships were beyond repair, but God reconciled them.
My life has changed since recognizing the “BUT GOD” moments in life. It wasn’t always that way though.
THE “GOD, BUT” STORY
There was a period in my life where my stories had the words in the wrong order. I liked to think I knew it all, and my sentences were written more like “God, but…”.
“I was going to believe in God, but I…”
“I was going to go to church God, but I…”
“I was going to read the Bible God, but I…”
“I was going to put my sin down God, but I…”
“I was going to tell someone about you God, but I…”
“I was going to forgive that person God, but I…”
“I was going to stop being afraid God, but I…”
“I was going to quit being sad God, but I…”
“I was going to stop yelling so much God, but I…”
“I was going to tithe God, but I…”
“I was going to start praying more God, but I…”
“I was going to trust you God, but I…”
When we put God before but, we are actually changing the “But God” opportunities into “But I” moments that leave God out of the picture.
One of our pastors said recently, “God doesn’t exist to glorify you. You exist to glorify God.”
That’s tough to swallow.
How often do we live with the mindset: But God, I want the glory. I want the credit. I want to feel appreciated. I want this done my way.
As I pondered that, I thought how every complaint we have can be turned around simply by changing the order of words.
I was going to show love to the person who hurt me God, but I don’t think they deserve it.
* I may feel hurt, but God, you called me to love others and show grace and mercy to them so that they may see you in me. If you can forgive me of my sins, I can forgive others.
I was going to bring my family to church God, but it was too hard convincing them to go on Sundays, and we had other things to do.
* I may feel busy and overwhelmed, but God, you designed my week to include a day of rest, where all I do is worship and glorify You. I will teach my family to do the same.
I was going to tithe God, but I wasn’t sure you’d provide for me to pay all my bills (and all the extra things I wanted).
* I may worry about finances, but God, you’ve always made sure I had what I needed and everything I have is because of you. I will honor you with my tithe.
I was going to trust in you, but God, I don’t see how…
* I may not understand everything, but God, I know you won’t forsake me. I will trust the words of Jeremiah 29:11.
I was going to pray more and read my Bible God, but I just don’t know how, and honestly, I can’t seem to find the time.
* I know I may not understand it today, but God, I know if I desire a relationship with yoy, you’ll make it possible. I know I will make time for the things I value most.
I was going to stay at my job God, but I really hated it and never got the recognition I deserved.
* I may not enjoy my job, but God you placed me in this job for a purpose, and I will seek ways to golorify you daily.
“But God” or “God, but”. Life is really that simple.