No Ragrets

I’ve never been a fan of tattoos, not even the little ones with pretty little flowers in inconspicuous places. I love flowers, and I realize it’s a personal choice, but why a person would mark up their body—in permanent ink, no less—is a mystery to me. With that said, I do have some favorite satirical “No Regrets” tattoo memes: “No Ragrets,” “No Regerts,” “No Regets,” and “Noregrets.” That pretty much sums up my opinion of tattoos.

On the serious side of regret, it really isn’t a very pleasant subject. It usually represents a failure of some kind; something we’ve done wrong or something we’ve failed to do. It is a regret that produces sorrow or leaves you with a sense of remorse. Or a regret that a window of opportunity has closed.

I think it’s virtually impossible for anyone, who has any semblance of a conscience, to have lived their life with no regrets. For all those who appear to have no conscience I suspect they’ve worked very hard to suppress it.

A healthy conscience helps us navigate the whys and the why-nots in our lives. Important questions for sure, but I think the most important question we could ever ask ourselves is where we will spend eternity.

There is nothing in life that’s more final than death, and there’s nothing in life that’s more certain than death. The simple odds are: ten out of ten people die.

Upon hearing of someone’s death, I wonder, did they know the Lord? Did I ever hear them say something about their relationship with Christ? Did I see something they’ve written about their faith? No matter if I knew them or not. If I did know them, then it becomes intensely more personal. My thoughts change to, did I ever have any spiritual conversations with them?

I didn’t always think this way.

I regret not being more concerned about spiritual matters when I was younger.

I regret not having faith conversations with people I cared about, who died unexpectedly and/or at a young age.

I regret not really knowing where people I cared about are spending eternity.

God has since given me a heart for the lost, and a desire to spread the gospel, but I still experience some regret.

Why don’t we share our faith? Fear is probably up at the top of the list; fear of failure and/or not knowing what exactly to say. But Matthew 10:19 reminds us:

“Do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour.”

Not living within God’s will is another reason. If we’re not walking and talking with Him daily, just how exactly would He use us to share the gospel when we’re not being obedient in our own personal relationship with Him?

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

Other reasons include being caught up in the busyness of life and being more concerned with the things of this world.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2

Or, maybe we just fail to love people as much as we should.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34

Whatever the situation (or excuse), if you’re a Christian and you’re not sharing your faith—ask yourself why not?

Pray about being willing, being ready, and being available.

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Ecclesiastes 3:1

Pray for opportunities, tender hearts, and trust in God’s perfect timing.

And,

“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16