In hindsight…

How many times have we found ourselves saying things like, “In hindsight…”:

• I would never
• I would have
• I would never would have said
• I should have said

It’s amazing how clear things are in hindsight. In hindsight, it was so obvious that we never should have done such and such, that we should have known better than to have said such and such.

Things are so clear and obvious in hindsight.

All the pain I could have avoided, the devastation averted, the opportunities I could have made into realities…only if I had known.

In hindsight…

Only, if I knew then the things I know now…life would be amazing…if only.

There are things we can only know after the fact. Unfortunately, this is part of what it means to be human.

Hindsight is 20/20. Things are absolutely clear…in hindsight.

The problem with our desires, wishes, and yearnings are the unintended consequences, the myriad of circumstantial realities that we are incapable of knowing at the present because we are human. In the moments of desiring and making decisions, the future is fuzzy at best, and at worst, is completely hidden from us. That’s why so many of our desires, yearnings, and dreams turn into nightmares.

Because we just don’t know.

But what if I told you I know a way to make foresight as clear as hindsight? What if I told you, you could avoid every heartache from every bad decision? That you don’t have to do those things that devastate the people you love? That you could take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way?

What difference would that make in your life?

Wouldn’t you want that? Wouldn’t it be crazy to miss out on such an offer?

Here’s the deal. For God, foresight is as crystal clear as hindsight.

That’s the reason why Christians “Trust and obey, for there is no better way”.

God already knows. God already knows what is best. God already knows the unintended consequences of every desire and every decision.

Not only does God know what is best, but God absolutely loves us and wants what is best for us.

Isn’t that amazing? Isn’t that wonderful?

So while the future will always be dim and fuzzy for us, we have a God for whom the future is crystal clear.

“Trust and obey, for there is no better way”

And, yet, I continue to choose my own will at my peril. I’m dumb like that.

Listen, everything I’ve said is for me. I am on a journey to trust more fully on God than trusting myself. I am no expert when it comes to trusting and obeying God. But I am getting better at it.

So, I re-commit to getting better at this trusting and obeying thing…

• Even when I don’t feel like it
• Even when the very thing I desire and want so much is the opposite of what God is asking me to do
• Even when God’s will doesn’t make any sense to me at the moment

I choose to trust and obey.

Now, how about you?

I’ve been in Bangkok, Thailand for about 48 hours. It took a heckalong time getting out here. The worst part of traveling is the jet lag. But I think I’ve finally gotten over the jet lag as of this morning.

Here are some of my first impressions about Bangkok.

First, there are expats everywhere. I wasn’t expecting that. I had read that Bangkok is the #1 visited city in the world, but I still wasn’t expecting to be around so many expats. I am pretty sure it has to do with where I am staying.

Second, there are so many Japanese in this area! There are more Japanese restaurants than Thai places in this area. The condo I am in has more Japanese than Thais. Wasn’t expecting that.

Third, I am surrounded by restaurants and coffee shops! I love this place. The condo I am staying is literally steps away from the BTS (Bangkok’s metro system). Talk about super convenient. I have not had Thai food yet, but I have had lots of good Japanese food and even found a couple of Korean places! I am looking forward to exploring more and finding some good Thai food. Did I already say that I love this place? I love this place.

Fourth, I think Bangkok gets a bad rap. The city is renowned for its sex industry. I am sure it’s there, but it’s no where to be seen where I am staying and hanging out. I am pretty sure that Bangkok is a lot like any other big cities around the world. There are bad parts of town, but one has to go searching for those places.

Las Vegas is in your face about its sex industry with all the pamphlets, leaflets, and advertising. I have seen zero evidence of the sex industry where I am staying and hanging out.

The Thai people have been incredibly pleasant and kind in dealing with this pastor/sabbatical/tourist.

Finally, I am pretty sure I spoke with a ladyboy. I asked a lady in a dress at the local grocery store how to say “Thank you” in Thai and the lady turned around and responded in a man’s voice!

It’s been a good couple of days here. I am looking forward to seeing what God has in store for me in the coming month.

I suck at waiting.

Waiting doesn’t look like what people think waiting looks like. You see, there are different types of waiting.

• There is waiting for the doctor in the waiting room
• There is waiting in line for the ride at Disneyland
• There is waiting for the person who can’t decide what they want at Starbucks

Then there is a waiting that often times lasts not minutes or even hours. There is a waiting that lasts for seasons of life.

I suck at waiting.

I don’t like waiting in doctor’s rooms, Disneyland, and at Starbucks. But, most of all, I hate going through seasons of waiting.

But going through seasons of waiting is a part of what it means to be human.

Waiting – the season of waiting – is a very natural part of being human. Unlike waiting at the doctor’s office or at Disneyland, going through seasons of waiting is neither passive or accidental. In fact, one often finds themselves quite busy and engaged while going through seasons of waiting.

In fact, there is a way to wait that is both God-honoring and intentional and purposeful.

The biggest secret to going through seasons of waiting is that what we do while we wait has an awesome impact on the kind of future we will live into.

You see, if one does not live, manage, and lead well in the present, the future will not look anything you imagine or hope it will be.

In fact, if one messes up the present, the future will be a nightmare of heartache and disappointment. In order to live into the desired future, we must live, manage, and lead well in the present.

• If you’re a student, be awesome at the student thing. Learn, grow in knowledge and wisdom, gain experience. That will set you up for the next season of your life
• If you’re hoping to marry one day, be awesome at building up your character and integrity. Grow into the kind of man/woman that the person of your dreams would want to marry
• If you’re an engineer, mechanic, teacher, dad, mom, son, daughter, etc., live, manage, and lead well in the present so that everything that God has in plan for the future can be your reality

Whatever season you find yourself live, manage, and lead well in the present. Be absolutely intentional and purposeful as you wait for God’s desired future for you.

I suck at waiting. I hate waiting.

But waiting is all I can do in the present. So I choose to rock my season of waiting!

How about you?