If Only

“If only I hadn’t said that” “If only I had paid attention to my speed.” “If only I had studied.”

How many times have we traipsed through the world of “if onlies?” If only, if only, if only…The words reverberate in my mind, expressing the regrets of my heart.

For many of our regrets, it’s too late. We bear the scars and the consequences for unwise decisions of the past. And then there’s this:

“If only you had paid attention to My commandments! Then your well-being would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea.” Isaiah 48:14.

Wait a minute! Is there something I can do about this one? Is there still time to experience peace like a river? Righteousness like the endless waves of the sea?

Thankfully, if you’re reading this, it’s not too late to make a choice that will never lead to regret – the choice to obey God, to pay attention to what He says. When we decide to do this, He will bless us with peace like a river and righteousness like what? Like the waves of the sea.

As we stood here on a summer day in 2015 at Otter Rock, on the Oregon coast, and watched these waves, they never ceased. On and on they went. Since the dawn of creation, they’ve been crashing. That’s the kind of peace and righteousness I want in my life – constant, continual, and lasting.

I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of living with the “if onlies.” God is giving us another chance, and I’m going to take Him up on it. Will you?