What does it mean to regret? When we regret something, we feel the ache of a missed opportunity, we feel the disappointment of a decision we never should have made, and, oftentimes, we blame ourselves for the less than desirable outcome. To put it crassly, Regret sucks, and it can make us feel like we do too. Regrets have the potential to tear us down and send us into a pit of negativity and blame - towards ourselves, towards others, our circumstances, our finances, our upbringing, you name it, and we can blame it.

Do you have any regrets - Anything in your life that feels like an opportunity lost, or a decision you wish you could undo? How often do you think about it? Does it continue to weigh you down? Are there situations that you face on a regular basis that keep reminding you and making it difficult to let go?

If you are willing, I want to invite you to do something with me. Think about 1 regret that you have in your life - Just 1. Bring it to mind, right now. One of my biggest regrets, that I continue to struggle with, is in my relationship with my kids. They, so innocently, look to me for everything - for entertainment, for their essential needs, to see what I do and how I react in certain situations - and, to be frank, I blow it so much. I lose my temper when they need patience. I’m selfish, when instead I should tend to their needs. And overall, being a dad has made me realize, just how imperfect my love is.

I have many regrets in my life and carrying these regrets - being weighed down by them - is exhausting, it’s defeating, it’s depressing, and disappointing. It makes me sad to remember times when I messed. Times when I should have done better but I didn’t. But, then I am reminded of the gospel. Come on, you know it. We are saved by Grace, through faith, not by works so that no one may boast. No amount of working, will save my soul. No amount of succeeding, will make me “more worthy.” And no amount of failing, will disqualify me, from living the life I was created for and being the person I was created to be.

Jesus didn’t die on the cross for nothing. He died for you and for me, glory be to his name. Because of the cross, when we look back to our moments of regret, we will find only an empty room. Regrets vanish. The tomb is empty. Jesus is risen. Living in the reality of the resurrection, means that all shame and regret are gone and we have been given a clean slate, not just today, but every single day. Newness and fullness of life is at hand, let’s walk in it together today. I want you to know this, you are forgiven.