As we reflect on our choices in life, we often ask ourselves: “What could have been?” Sometimes, we are thankful that we did not make a particular decision; other times, we wish we would have heeded the Lord’s nudging. I am grateful that when the Lord called me to be a pastor, I responded to His calling, which positively changed the lives of our entire family.
As we reflect on the past, God has much to teach us. A disregarded warning from the Lord can be an essential lesson the next time the Lord warns us. In my life, I had a couple of instances where I thought I knew better, disregarding the Lord’s guidance, only to discover God is right every time.
Scripture gives us insight into the importance of reflecting on God’s word. James 1:23 For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. 25 But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. [1]
Religious leaders Refused to Follow John the Baptist
The week before Jesus went to the cross, He taught people many parables. One day, while He was teaching, these leaders came to Jesus to question His authority. Luke 20:2 They demanded, “By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right?” 3 “Let me ask you a question first,” he replied. 4 “Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human?” 5 They talked it over among themselves. “If we say it was from heaven, he will ask why we didn’t believe John. [2]
The text makes it clear they did not believe John the Baptist when he was preaching a message of repentance. Luke 3:8 Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones.[3] How different would their lives and eternity have been if they had truly repented?
We Can’t Go Back But Only Forward
You may be regretting a decision you made in the past, but you can’t go back in time and change things. We might not be able to return in time, but we can humble ourselves, like the prodigal son, and ask the Lord to forgive us. When the prodigal asked God to forgive him, it set him on a path to return home to His Father for forgiveness.
When we return to the Lord, He does not push us away but welcomes us with open arms. Humility often leads to healing relationships, especially our relationship with Jesus. Do you worry about what could have been? To learn more, listen here:
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.
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