One of the popular age-old thoughts within the human imagination is what we would change if we could go back in time. Would making different decisions help us and others today?
Many people have regrets over poor decisions and wonder what they could have prevented or created if they could go back. Of course, this would only work if we had the knowledge we now possess. Some choices involved just ourselves, and no doubt it altered our lives. But how? Guilt and regret are a part of blaming ourselves, while other events were beyond our control. Then there are disappointments that come as a normal part of life. We could continue with examples, but whatever the case (and each one is unique), we can learn from mistakes and use the past to help us secure a better future.
Allow me to ask: If you could go back in time, knowing what you know now, would you do things differently to fix past mistakes? Do you truly think changing the past would improve your life and the lives of those you love? I was young once and saw life very differently than I do now. So, how can we be sure our changes would help?
Today, I place education and living for God much as a much higher priority than I did as a teen or in my 20s. I made significant mistakes from poor choices and rarely considered long-term consequences. I look and back and I’m grateful the Lord was gracious and most likely protected me from my own youthful errors more than I will ever know. “History, despite its pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again.” — Maya Angelou
I’m reminded of the song by Garth Brooks that talks about thanking God for unanswered prayers. It’s evident that we often do not really know how to pray. I heard someone say recently that they did not pray to ask God for things; they prayed to know what he wanted. This makes you think about how much a part our free will plays versus God’s will.