Regrets…

A few years ago while at a conference I heard a pastor say that “Christians don’t speak lies nearly as often as they sing them” For most people in the room that statement probably flew right by them drowned out by the religious AMEN’S (Not that all AMEN’s are religious but I just think there is a problem with a shout and no application, I’m just saying!). However, it’s a powerful statement when you think about it. All those times I sang of giving it all to Him when in reality I was withholding pieces or rather chunks of my heart. Trying to pretend that I had given into the idea of complete surrender and abandonment. Ever since then the lyrics to the songs that I’m singing whether in my heart or at the top of my lungs have taken on a whole new meaning.

Today was no exception! I got to the office early this morning to just spend some time in prayer and straighten up the office. I turned on the computer logged in, & went to newspring.cc to view this past weeks message and enjoy some worship. A couple of songs in they began singing How He Loves Us. I’ve sang this song over and over again but today something hit me when we got to this line

I don’t have time to maintain these regrets,
When I think about, the way…

I can honestly say it was more than just the lyrics, it was the passion in which they were sung as well. The concept of not “having time to maintain these regrets when I think about the way He loves us…” moved me. It moved me deep within. It moved me to desire to make it more than a concept but a reality. We all have regrets, we all have things that we wish we wouldn’t have done, but we don’t have to live with those regrets fueling our lives. I think alot of times the things that hold us back are far smaller than we make them out to be. The lyrics suggest that when I’m thinking about the way he loves me I no longer have the time to maintain these regrets. I love that! The very definition of “maintaining” is to keep in existence or continuance; preserve; or retain. I don’t want to preserve these regrets or retain the guilt, shame or condemnation that is associated with keeping these things alive. When were consumed with the reality of His love for us it will motivate us to see more, do more and ultimately be more, thus leaving us empty of the spare time it takes to focus on or breathe life into our regrets. Consider this statement that Paul makes to the Ephesian Elders:

But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
Acts 20:24 (ESV)

Of all people, Paul could have some regrets. Some theologians believe that it was him that those that martyred Stephen looked to for the go ahead. A person whose life prior to meeting Christ was lived to destroy those that professed Christ. Now he’s saying look nothing else in my life matters as long as I get to finish the course that the Lord has given me. I don’t have time to put value or breathe life into these things any longer. I believe when we truly capture the reality of His love for us we will have no choice but to be absolutely consumed with His mission for our lives.

Lord I want to be completely consumed with you’re love for me. I’ve leaned on my love for you for far to long. I’ve tried to love you through my regrets and today I no longer want to spend the time or energy “maintaining” these regrets keeping these things alive. Help me to be consumed with the mission you’ve given me for my life & family to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.