The Power of Regret

Eighteen months ago, I vividly recall sitting in the pew of my local church back in America listening to a sermon titled, "Walk on Water." To my surprise the words, "bold faith" were not said once, but the word, "regret" was spoken in-numerously. The sermon was about the disciples in the boat watching Peter walk on water in regret. I remember distinctively sitting there thinking about what I regret will if I don't step out. I didn't want to be like the disciples always wishing I was the one to have gotten out of the boat and walked out on water to Jesus. That day I knew the Lord had called me to get out of my boat of comfort and move to Serbia. I didn't know how, when, for how long, in what manner, but I was to pick up my life and go. The potential of regret guided my actions.  My pride said, "it is impossible." "It is risky," said experience.'"It is pointless," said reason. "Give it a try," said the Lord.

I have been living in Serbia for 64 days; I have yet to regret a day, a single moment, a single divine encounter of His blessings. The last two months have been challenging, full of adjustment and full of lots of grace from Him and friends, yet in all of it, I have such a deep sense of peace. Peace that this is where I am supposed to be. No regrets of what I left or lost.

Just last week I came across this picture to the right on Pinterest. How fitting. It encompassed so much of how I am and was feeling.

Now as I encounter more decisions and challenges, I have the promise and experience of the last two months. Without that risk of stepping in faith, I would have had so much regret. The potential of regret has power. If you are in His will, there will be no regret.

One of my favorite provisions of the Lord since I arrived is how He provided my apartment. I arrived to Serbia two weeks before camps started. I had no time to apartment hunt. My first week here, a Serbian friend from the local church I knew from my first summer here, asked where I would be staying. I told him I was would be hunting for an apartment as soon as camp season ended. He said he thought there was an open place at his complex and that he would ask his landlord. Next thing I know, the landlord calls to ask if I would like to see the apartment. Conveniently, it was a day off of camp mid-summer that I could visit. Two more weeks later, I signed the needed paperwork. The timing was God's. The landlord worried as it wouldn't be available until August 1st. Guess when I wasn't available until...August 1st. It couldn't have been more perfect. I also couldn't apply for a VISA until I had an apartment. I needed to apply for the VISA within three months of arrival. Again, He provided, just as He has everything else.

When we walk in faith, living with no regret, His provisions are greater than we could even choose ourselves. I am grateful.

Psalm 34:4-5 "I sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed."