Flourishing Life

"It is never too late to be what you might have been." - George Eliot

Several years ago a gentleman took me to lunch and offered some sage advice I have not forgotten. This man was, and is, a committed Christ-follower and a successful businessman who built his considerable wealth from being a person of integrity and seeing his business as a way to be a blessing to others. As I was sharing with him my life and plans he told me something that is fairly simple, yet profound: “Don’t live with ‘What if…’” 

A “What if” life is a miserable life. “What if I had chosen that path and not this? What if I had made different decisions? What if I had fully pursued my dreams?” A “What if” life is a life of sadness and regret. 

I see so many people living “What if” lives. When they’re younger they make decisions that ultimately turn out to be destructive. They spin their wheels, wasting positive energy reliving the mistakes of the past. The past is the past. Instead of living a “What if” life we can live a “What’s next” life. We can say to God, “God, I’ve not always paid attention to your will or desire for my life, but I know you are in the redemption business. Today I’m turning my life over to you. What’s next? What are you calling me to do today for your purposes?” 

A “What’s Next” kind of life is a life of adventure. It’s out of control because you’re turning over your life to God who made you and who knows you better than you know yourself. It’s a life placed in his hands for his purposes. It’s never too late to turn your life over to God. You won’t regret it!