I was driving with a friend a few weeks ago, chatting about heaven, and her brother and sister, who are there.
She asked me, “Don’t you think people feel regret in heaven for what they did on the earth?”
Later I looked up the meaning of regret: “feel sad, repentant, or disappointed over something that has happened or been done, especially a loss or missed opportunity”; “regret is distress of mind, sorrow for what has been done or failed to be done”.
I was in her house one day witnessing my friend’s sister expressing deep regret over how she had hurt her son. I saw her standing at the top of the stairs, holding her son as he cried, lamenting over what she’d done. “I’m so sorry! I’m so sorry!”
Is there that kind of regret in heaven?
God says he will wipe away all tears in heaven. But if we don’t lament in heaven over our poor choices in life, does that mean we lose our memories, don’t remember our failures?
I don’t think Father God does a lobotomy on us when we enter the pearly gates. So remembering our failures must somehow be different there.
1 John 4: 16-18 says “Love never brings fear, for fear is always related to punishment. But love’s perfection drives the fear of punishment from our hearts.”
What’s it like to fail in front of someone who you know loves you and will never stop loving you? What’s it like to view something you did on the earth that was very wrong, standing next to the one who died because of that act?
I think it’s still sad, but remembering with Jesus standing next to you reminding you that your mistakes intentional or otherwise are paid for, in advance, changes everything.
So, where is Jesus right now?
That’s right, he’s right here. Right next to me, seeing everything, knowing what I’ve done, loving me anyway. So then let’s talk about regret here and now, no need to wait for heaven. There’s a new way to deal with regret over real crap we’ve done, or are doing.
God says “Those who look to me are radiant; they will never be put to shame.” Psalm 34:5
This is reality! Dream with me: If shame is off the table, how is everything different?
