I often wonder what it would be like to have the opportunity to relive my life with the experiences I now have. Would things be different? Would I see the opportunities that were squandered so casually in the days of my youth? Would anything be different?
I don’t know if anything would be different. I would hope so, but I really don’t have any confidence in stating that things would be materially different. Last night I met my first girl friend who I had only seen once, albeit briefly, in over thirty years. It was a great reunion. A group of old friends got together to share some food and talk about life past, present, and future. There was much that we remember in common and the laughter was genuine and deep. I also heard stories that I haven’t thought of for years if ever.
As the evening progressed I began to reflect on the casual carelessness of my youth. I saw my willingness to part with values and principles in a light that caused me to stop and ask if anything had changed. I found myself sitting under the light of history and the picture wasn’t pretty! The awesome part was that each of us was able to share our thoughts and memories through the filter of grace, mercy, and love. Could I say the same about my actions today? Would the dawn bring renewed focused on the very values and principles that I hold most precious? Would the people that I meet benefit from this renewal?
“Here’s how a prostitute operates: she has sex with her client, takes a bath, then asks, ‘Who’s next?’” (Proverbs 30.20) The person who walks only thing of what they can take from life develops a skin of carelessness that they are able to wear with ease and perceived comfort. I don’t want to go through life that way! I want my actions of selfish taking from others to chafe and tear at my soul. Life isn’t casual and doesn’t need to be careless. We have God’s key.
