In the world of little kids, if you mess up while playing a game, you just shout "I want a do-over" and it's usually ok. Every little boy or girl understands that life is full of misses that need a fresh start. No such luck in adulthood.
A recent survey of people over the age of 95 were asked "If you had life to do over again, what would you change?" Not surprisingly, none of them mentioned working longer, having more stuff, or climbing higher on the corporate ladder. What they did say had less to do with the material things in life and all to do with life lived well!
Interestingly enough, the majority of them said they'd take more risks. We like to live in our comfort zones and if something is a little risky or pushes us to venture out, we usually back off. Some of us try new things, once in a while, but at the first sign of struggle or failure we give up and run back to what's known and safe. While risk taking doesn't have to be associated with foolishness or carelessness it does involve stepping out onto new ground. It's interesting how the Bible is full of risk takers. Think about it...faith is a product of acting on God's Word. If there's no action, there is no faith. God always asked those who wanted to see Him move to do something, often something that may have seemed foolish or unreasonable. (Joshua & Jericho, Gideon, Moses, David with Goliath, Naaman, Peter...the examples are numerous!) Risk takers may have fear, but they don't let that stop them. They take a deep breath and go!
The second thing people in their 90s responded with was that they'd reflect more - they'd spend more time prioritizing. They'd prune wasted activities & add wholesome ones. They'd praise more and complain less. They'd look for the good in people and in situations, trying to see why God has brought those people & things into their lives. They'd point their face towards heaven more and put their nose to the grindstone less.They would think about God's goodness rather than gripe about their lack. They'd slow down & enjoy the journey!
The third thing they said was that they'd do more things that would live on after they were gone. They'd contribute more to their families' lives and to their communities. They'd share themselves, their ideas, their time. They'd pass on lessons learned and encourage others to "go for it". They'd put relationships first and everything else after. They'd forgive quicker, extend more grace, witness more, and love deeply, They'd focus on their legacies - what others will learn from having watched them live and what qualities people will admire them for. They hope that their passing means more than a payday or a trust fund - that it means that there are memories that have and will continue to shape lives for God & for good. They hope they leave a better world than the one they were born into!
Nope - in life there are no do-overs; but even if today should be the last day of your life, you still have time to change for the better. Check your priorities. Look for the new adventures and the opportunities that God is opening up. Don't waste one more day in fear. Get out there, find what it is God wants you to do and who He wants you to invest time and love in, and go for it! Don't just exist, LIVE and live joyously!! That will be a legacy worth leaving!
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