There are things in life we wish we had done differently. There are decisions we wish to take back. There are words we wish had been said or not said. There are people who wish they have chosen a different career path. Athletes wish they could take back a play that cost his team a game. Parents train their children to not make the same mistakes they have made. Many people are attracted to the teaching that they will be able to live in another body again. It seems in the human spirit there is a longing to do things again differently.

     What is behind this longing? It may be the feeling of guilt or the feeling of discontent about the present and the feeling that life could have been "better".  This leads to the question, what is the "better" life? It seems it is a life lived with peace of mind- free of guilt, and also a sense of glory or accomplishment. We blame our past selves for the lack of peace in our minds. 

     In Christian theology, God in Christ took our place to die on the cross for our sins, thereby relieving us of guilt. It is also true that what God did in the person of Christ is a divine do-over. His life, as much as his death, saves our soul from the past. He lived a life free of sin (he overcame temptations), and his life is the life glorified by God (he is seated on God's right hand). Those who embrace his sacrifice are also glorified. Some may think- but sin is not what keeps me up at night?

     We long for glory in different forms- money, popularity, admiration. We feel we miss those because of our decisions. They are at best temporary, never adequate, and could be burdensome (our attachment to riches can cause us to be suspicious for example). We comfort ourselves with the thought that glory will come after death if we did not feel glorified in this life, maybe because we have been good or wise. However, Christian theology has a different take on glory. Glory came to Christ, and humanity gains glory through him- it is a gift not something to be earned. Glory is not about going to heaven per se, but having that feeling of significance and value that humans long for. Glory, in the words of scripture, is being partakers of the divine nature.  

     Some may say the Christian message is exclusivistic and offensive, in light of many religious claims. However, either humanity has to strive for glory through his own works or knowledge, or humanity can rest in the glory already gained by Christ waiting to be received. Which would really bring us peace?