What If Hindsight Wasn’t 20/20
This morning I wanted to sleep in. It’s New Years Day for goodness sakes! Nevermind that I couldn’t keep my eyes open for the football game and was put to bed by 9:30 last night, I wanted to experience the bliss of snuggling down and waking when I darn well pleased. But no, my internal alarm clock is set daily and I get up at the same time no matter what. That’s okay though. There’s been too many sunrises I would’ve missed, too many things I wouldn’t have gotten done and too many prayers I would’ve skipped. Like yesterday…
Yesterday I had a big prayer commitment. One I have been working on for some time, but today I wonder if I’ve done justice. Looking back, I knew it was important, but I didn’t understand how important. Even though I prayed the same prayer as I would have either way, I wonder if I should have prayed harder, or longer, or more times throughout the day. I’m still praying even though I know God has everything in His hands, there’s still more to pray about, not just one specific thing…but I wonder. I don’t want to have a regret when I learn the result.
Looking back.
How often do we do that? It’s always different in our minds when we look back on a situation. The “should’ve/could’ves” come out and we beat ourselves up for not doing things as we might have if we’d known the outcome.
I don’t like regrets, but I have them. Often I would’ve liked for things to had turned out differently, sure, but life is too short to harp on things that have already happened. Living life teaches us and it’s up to us to use those lessons and move forward learning from them. And teaching others from them, even if they end up having to learn on their own.
Today starts “anew”. A new year, a new page on the calendar, for some, a new start. Plans for new beginnings, new routines, new eating habits, new budget goals. Whatever your “new” for 2020, I hope the top of your list is a better relationship with the one who loves you the most. The one that gives you life. The one that matters most. I hope you read Luke 16 every day until it’s ingrained in your mind and you understand it fully. And I hope you pray.
As I continue to pray for my friend, and read Luke 16, I’m reminded of another friend I’ve prayed for and I’m grateful that I had the opportunity to. Especially when I get to verses 22-25, “And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.”
If the “rich man” had known what he knows now, I wonder if he would have been too proud to understand the severity of his choices.
Don’t let your hindsight be 20/20! Make sure you’re doing what you need to do now to prevent the torment of hell.
Lazarus suffered so much when he was alive, but didn’t lose faith and has the ultimate comfort now. Surely his hindsight shows his suffering was short-lived compared to the comfort of heaven. Learn from others and walk confidently into 2020. Make the right number one “new” change and get right with the Lord. If you know Him, get closer to Him. Learn to pray or pray more. It’s the easiest and most rewarding thing you can do for yourself. And for others.
