Regret is one of the heaviest words in the dictionary. When we leave home, we normally say goodbye to our loved ones with the casual ‘see you later!’ But are we assured that we will really see them again? The answer is a resounding ‘No’.
When babies starts to walk, they falter and they fall. That is part of the inevitable course of life. When schooling is done, we launch into a trade or career. Sometimes it works out well and sometimes it does not. That is part of experiencing life. We form close relationships and sometimes it is all fun in the sun but sometimes there is tears, hurt and pain. We do not get to choose exactly what we want in this lucky dip life experience. What is most certain in this world of increasing uncertainty is the inevitability of death.
One event can change the trajectory of our life. It could be a pleasant event or an unpleasant one. Who is to say? What is key to unraveling life’s experiences is how we handle it. Some people feel the world owes them everything. Some people take advantage of others, either by cohesion or subtle mind games. Some people are so preoccupied with themselves that nobody else matters to them. Inevitably, we all do need to say goodbye to this world, some sooner than others. What will be the sum total of your life when you take your last breath? You may be lucky to say goodbye to loved ones or you may not. That is the one certainty of life!
It matters much what we put into our lives and how we live from day to day. Apostle Paul had studied hard and established his career as an elite member of the clergy. He prided himself in his dogmatic adherence to his religion, even if it meant sanctioning the death by stoning of so-called ‘religious rebels’. He was earmarked for greatness by the religious leaders of his time. Yet, the course he was taking was not his destiny. His encounter with the risen Christ revolutionized his life and changed the course of history. From a diehard persecutor of the early Christians, Paul became the instrument for the presentation of the Gospel to the rest of the world. Before his death sentence, Paul wrote to his followers about his life. He said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” – 2 Timothy 4:7. He knew that his life was lived well with no regrets and he was assured of his reward in heaven. What about you? ◊
Linda Pearl
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