For all the sad words of tongue and pen,

The saddest are these: "It might have been."

- John Greenleaf Whittier

I thought I would share some thoughts from the book I'm currently reading, "Lost in the Middle - Midlife and the Grace of God" by Paul David Tripp. I currently finished reading Chapter 4, where Tripp talks about living with regrets. As I read this chapter I realized that I too live with regrets. Those regrets may be things like my relationship with God, my relationship with people, how I have raised my children, or my job. The list could go on and on. But it hit me as a read this chapter that God did not create us to live in regret. In fact, as Tripp says "God made a world of remarkable unity, harmony, peace, and love, where no regrettable thing would interrup the tranquility he had created. There was work, but it was never done begrudgingly or irresponsibly. There were relationships, yet they were never marked by selfishness, disloyalty, or anger. There was a heartfelt worship, service, and obedience to God, but never a moment or rebellion or idolatry. Imagine with me for just a moment what it would be like to live in such a place. What would it be like never to feel regret, never to experience remorse, and never to lug around the heavy weight of guilt? Don't let yourself think that what I am describing is totally unrealistic. In fact the world was once this way." (pg.107)

So what happened? Satan entered the Garden and the beauty of the regretless world was destroyed. There is no longer unity, harmony, peace and love. However, as Christians we are not without hope. In the midst of this fallen world in which we live there is a deep and abiding longing for a better place, a place where failure gives way to victory and sin gives way to righteousness. Where is that hope? That hope is found in Christ. Look at the words of Paul in Galatians 2:20 ; "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Paul is essentially saying that he is a child of God and being a child of God he is victorious. Paul's potential is as great as Christ's grace and Christ's power. The same is true of me! I have no reason to live a life of regret.

By living a life celebrating eternity I can continue to live in this fallen world. It is only the hope and promise of a resurrection out of this life and of an eternity to follow that makes it possible for me to continue to live in this fallen world. May my life echo the words of Peter. . .

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,

who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."