What Will I Regret?

Finishing up the last bit of unpacking, I unzipped a section of a suitcase and discovered last year's prayer journal. Of course I had to sit and page through it for a little while (I had a pizza in the oven, so I had time). Its entries brought back memories, as each prayer poured out my heart to the Lord. Some prayers shared joy, some gave thanks for a few of the many, many blessings I have been given. Others resonated with fear, worry, uncertainty, and insecurity; feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, unworthiness, and discouragement were scratched on the pages in jagged letters. Reading some entries brought back waves of pain still alive, perhaps forgiven but never forgotten; reading others made me frankly rejoice in the power found in letting go and moving on.

At the end of the journal, however, is where I always jot down random thoughts, ideas for songs and poems, and cool quotes. This is what I found at the back of this journal:

I have heard it said that everyone "must do the things you'll regret not doing." Yet I look around and see plenty of people who never did half the things they wanted to do, and regret is covered by contentment with God's plan for their lives. So I wonder if the phrase might be said more appropriately, "you must do the things God calls you to do, or you will regret not doing them."

Jesus, when praying in the garden of Gethsemane, modeled for us the prayer of true humility. Although He was fully God, and therefore His will really was exactly the same as His Father's, He was also fully human and really didn't want to face the tortures that He knew were ahead. In complete surrender, He prayed, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” Luke 22:42 NKJV

I heard the concept of a "bucket list" long ago and have compiled my own list of things I would like to accomplish during my time here on earth. While they are all good things, if I go to heaven without ever riding an ostrich, I really doubt that it will be on my mind while I'm standing on those golden streets, face to face with my Savior and falling at His feet. Should I live to old age, when I am old and sick and my great-grandchildren are standing around my bed telling me it's OK to let go and pass away, I don't think my last words will be, "I never went parasailing!"

However, if I do not live according to God's plan for my life, if I make stupid choices and disobey His commands, if I ignore His calling and go my own way...imagine the regret at the end of my life when I know it could've been so much greater had I only obeyed my Lord! It is the stuff of nightmares to think that I could get to heaven and see my Savior, only to have Him tell me that He had a great plan for me and wanted to use me in incredible ways, but I was too rebellious and headstrong to listen and obey and therefore wasted the time I was given.

So what do I do with the time that I have? Do I choose to go my own way and do the things I want to do? Rather, I want to do the things that God has called me to do, knowing that not only would I regret not doing them, but also knowing that only in doing them will I find fulfillment and peace.