Conventional wisdom is to take matters into our own hands and arrange for the life we desire. And certainly we have the responsibility to be faithful stewards to what God has entrusted to us. But this faith requires us to follow God wherever he leads. And sometimes this means waiting patiently while our desires remain unfulfilled for now. Yet, because we’re waiting in faith, there are no regrets along the way.
We regret those things that could’ve been different – a missed opportunity as it were. For instance, we let fear get the best of us and don’t apply for a job. Or we think so lowly of ourselves that we don’t pursue the new and meaningful relationships we crave. Or perhaps we’re so distracted we miss making memories with our loved ones. We might look back at each of these moments and experience regret because it could’ve been different. And certainly this is the case when we feel God has convicted us to take a step of faith and we, like Jonah, run in the opposite direction.
To avoid regret, it’s tempting then to ensure we miss no opportunity. But this drive is often motivated by fear. In our desperation we then apply for jobs, pursue relationships, and demand quality time. And while we might claim we’re being faithful because we’re not being lazy, we’re trusting more in our ability to control the outcomes rather than trusting God.
To be sure, trusting God is not an excuse for passivity. Our faith must be active. Like the Israelites crossing the Red Sea, there’s a time to cry out to God and a time to step toward the water. And we too must be willing to courageously step toward the things we’re praying to God for. But sometimes our faith is active by remaining still. This is not putting our head in the sand, but simply following the Spirit as he leads. And such a faith protects just from regrets even when it feels like we should be doing more to fix our situation.
In the end, cry to God to fulfill the desires of your heart. And don’t miss the opportunities he has already given you. But remember living by faith means trusting God with the outcomes. You don’t have to desperately arrange for the life you desire.
Photo by Chris Blonk on Unsplash
