Nearly 30 years ago, after experiencing a great deal of back pain accompanied by a constant low-grade fever and many sleepless, pain-filled nights, after many tests and vists to several different specialists, I was told I had an incurable spinal disease. In fact, my doctor told me I would probably end up in a nursing home by the time I was 50. I can recall the thoughts that flooded my mind that very instant. One of them had to do with the many things I regretted from my first nearly 30 years of life.
If you knew that you only had a short time left to live, what would be your greatest regret in life? Think about it for just a moment and honestly answer, what would be your attitude towards your …
MARRIAGE: Would you be leaving behind a spouse whose memories of you were filled with love and affection?
CHILDREN: Could you say with certainty that your children knew they were a priority in your life, and that you had instilled in them lasting values?
FRIENDSHIPS: Could you quickly identify one or two people who loved you unconditionally and knew that you loved them?
MONEY: Could you say that you wisely used the money that God entrusted to you and that you had adequately provided for your loved ones?
It could be that life without regrets was exactly what Paul was writing about in Philippians 3 when he wrote, “Forgetting what lies BEHIND and looking FORWARD to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
Most importantly, what about your own relationship with God? Would you be excited or fearful about the prospect of standing before your Creator?
Allowing Jesus to be the Lord (Owner) of my past was the one thing that allowed me to sever the chains of the past that had been holding me in bondage. If you haven’t already done so, surrender your life to His lordships and let Him be Lord of your past, present and your Future. Otherwise, what you have now will be all you may ever have.
By the way, for the past decade, I have been in nursing homes – many of them – as a Chaplain, NOT as a Resident. I was miraculously, completely healed in the Summer of 2001 and was told by another physician “You have a textbook spine.” Now, I’m strong as a horse, sleeping great, very active at age 56 this December. Praise the Lord!
Pass this message along to your eMail list. I guarantee it will resonate with someone you know.
Every blessing,
Michael Tummillo
Founder, The Church @ Work