What Would You Change If You Could?

Some things you can’t change. They are done.  But you can let God redeem them.

Have you ever thought back over your life and wondered what you would change if you could? There are a few things I would change—nothing in the grand scheme of things—but a few things.

Some of the situations I used to think I would adjust, because I wanted to change them so bad, well, I’m not sure that I would change them now. They helped make me, me. And if I hadn’t had those things I would probably have been someone else.

Does that make sense?

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not one of those people who gushes, “Lord, bring on the trials. I know I’ve got to grow so lay them on.” To me that’s like a five-year old marching up to his dad and saying, “Dad, I know you spank me for my own good and I really want to improve as a person so her you go.”

Upon which, he turns around and bends over so that his dad can punish him.

I get enough trials without asking for them, thank you.

Most of what I would change are the dumb things I did or wise things I didn’t do. But, given the same circumstances I may just be kidding myself to think I would do things differently if I had to do it over again.

Some people brood their whole lives wishing the past had been different. You know what? Some things you can’t change. They are done.  But you can let God redeem them.

God is a Master at taking what we thought was horrible and turning it into a masterpiece.
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” (Rom. 8:28, 29 21st Century KJV)

How about that? God uses everything to make us like Jesus, if we trust Him and walk in faith. Even those hurts. Maybe even those goof-ups.

We end up looking like Jesus and if that’s true, well, even though the thing isn’t pleasant there is a reason for it.

“The hard does not minimize His goodness but allows us to experience His goodness in a whole new way,” says Katie Davis, missionary among the children of Uganda.