A Word from the Vine No. 248: The Cry of Regret

Alright, folks, strap in for another round of truth bombs on "A Word from the Vine." I'm Pastor Loren Christensen, and today's episode hits hard. We're talking about "The Cry of Regret." Ever seen someone at the end of their worldly journey, realizing their achievements were just empty echoes, and their hearts are heavy with regret? Yeah, we're diving into that.

Let's start with a gut-punching scripture, Mark 8:36 – "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?" Chew on that for a moment. What good is it to conquer the world if, in the process, you lose the very essence of who you are?

Now, picture this. I've sat, often in quiet, lonely rooms, with people at the end of their lives, their achievements hanging in the air like a bitter taste. Bill, a successful farmer on the outside, realized too late that his pursuit of land and wealth left his soul parched. He gained the world, but his soul slipped through the cracks. Regret etched on his face as he whispered, "What have I really gained?"

And then there's Emily, a high-flying executive who climbed the corporate ladder with fierce determination. Yet, in those final moments, her achievements sounded hollow. The regret in her eyes as she muttered, "I sacrificed everything for success, but success didn't save me."

Now, let's talk about a fear that goes beyond death itself. It's the fear I've seen in the eyes of those who lived without genuine purpose. Mark my words, it's a haunting fear. Picture Mike, a man who amassed wealth, had a McMansion, fancy cars – the whole shebang. But as death knocked on his door, he expressed a different concern. "What awaits me after this?" he'd say, his eyes reflecting the fear of the unknown. Turns out, a life without spiritual grounding brings a fear that transcends the physical realm.

Fear of the unknown, my friends, stems from a life devoid of genuine purpose. When your achievements are skin-deep, when your success is nothing but a façade, that fear lingers even after you breathe your last.

So here's the deal. Pastor Loren is giving it to you straight. As you walk your path, think about the end. Consider the trajectory of your life. Don't let the pursuit of material success blind you to the richness of a life well-lived. If you're gaining the world but losing your soul, it's time for a serious heart check.

Let's break free from the chains of regret. Seek a life with genuine purpose, a life that extends beyond the material. Don't let fear grip you beyond the grave. Choose a path that aligns with your spiritual core.

Thanks for being with me today. Until next time, let's live lives with no room for regret.