Proverbs 23

I was reminded the other day of one of Satan’s favorite tools…regret. I was watching “High School Musical II” with the wife and kids the other night and it made me very sad. At first I had no idea why but then I realized it’s been 19 years since high school for me and the road did not go the direction I intended.
I typical Disney style everything works out in the end. That’s one of the things I truly enjoy about many of Disney’s products. But watching that I thought of my own plans when I graduated high school. That is where the regret set in.
Verse 17: Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD. (NIV)
That was a big problem for me in school. I envied the rebels. I lashed out and lived in a way that is counterintuitive to God’s plan and, therefore, can produce no lasting happiness.
I hurt many people along my path and have the scars from the hurt I caused myself. That is where the regret comes in. Some people have said to me, “Man I wish would have gotten out there and experienced life. You’re life has been so interesting.”
I don’t understand that. I mean, I get the grass-is-greener thing. I get the idea that running all over the country, living different places and, as one guy put it, “having different adventures” seems fun…like a movie. But it also produced pain.
I have to fight back those feelings and reflect on the words of the next verse.
Verse 18: There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. (NIV)
There it is. Did you see it? There IS future hope for me! But how is that possible? It is possible by living right in the present.
God didn’t want me to take all the turns I have in this journey. That was my choice. God didn’t punish me for those choices either. He did let me suffer the consequences for my actions. And God doesn’t want me to suffer inside for the wrongs I have done. His Grace covers ALL.
The fact is God can use me and my experiences to do the work He has called me to do. It may take a while to dig out of the wreckage of my choices, but God will use that experience to help others. This is true for each of us.
Satan wants us to linger over past wrongs. God wants us to confess, repent and move on.
Verse 23: Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding. (NIV)
So, despite my faults and misdeeds I am in the market today for wisdom, discipline and understanding. I will say it again; God didn’t want any of us to make the bad choices and mistakes we have made. But, on the other side of those choices God does want us to grow in wisdom and understanding to help others.
Richard Bach in his book Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah says, “Here is a test to find whether your mission on Earth is finished: If you're alive, it isn't.”
So, if you are reading this you’re work here isn’t done. No matter what you’ve done, who you were or what happened to you God will forgive you and set you to a purpose of His design. And when we find ourselves in a place in time where we are truly in harmony with our creator then, and only then, will we experience true peace.

Gods Speed,
Greg