What if? No! What IS!

Saint Athanasius Lutheran Church

I recently read a book called President Hamilton, a fascinating “what if” imagining Alexander Hamilton surviving his duel with Aaron Burr and becoming president. It was an optimistic take on how history might have changed—but it got me thinking about the “what if” game we all play in our own lives. What if I had made different choices? Would things be better? But dwelling on those questions rarely brings peace. Instead, it often leads to regret and discontent. Jesus knew we’d struggle with this. That’s why He told His disciples, “Take heart; I have overcome the world.” Not just the world around us, but the doubts and regrets within us. The good news is this: our past is forgiven, our future is secure, and even now, Jesus is at work—redeeming, restoring, and bringing good out of our mess. So rather than asking “what if,” we can rest in the truth: Christ is risen, and He has truly overcome the world.