No Regrets!

I came across this video clip a couple of months ago. It’s one of the last recordings made by Johnny Cash before he died. In the song he looks over his life and describes the pain he has caused – to himself and others. It’s raw, open and honest; its a song of regret – and maybe repentance too. The final lines of the song go like this:

“If I could start again, a million miles away

I would keep myself, I would find a way.”

This song was originally penned by 9-inch Nails front man Trent Reznor. He was 20 when he wrote it. Not exactly the sort of thing that you would want to hear from a 20 year-old. And yet it is oddly fitting for someone with Cash’s age and experience. Anyone familiar with the story of Johnny Cash will know the saga of fame, rock ‘n’ roll, drugs and alcohol that almost destroyed his life. And yet there is also a powerful testimony of a rescue to a life of faith in Jesus. In this song there is regret at much of a life that was wasted. Its a timely reminder to all of us and a challenge not to waste what has been given to us, to nurture and keep ourselves in line with God who loves us and created us to live a fulfilling life in step with Him.

Paul writes that we are to ‘Be very careful, then, how you live–not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil (Eph 5:15-16).’ That’s good advice – for all of us. So much of life can be wasted on stuff that achieves nothing but pain and leaves nothing but regret. Don’t get sold that dummy. Lets live a wise life with no wasted opportunities.