Auld Lang Syne: Joy and Regret

Read

2 Corinthians 7:10 “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.”

Philippians 3:13-14 “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Think

As the familiar notes of Auld Lang Syne fill the air on New Year’s Eve, they do more than mark the passing of time—they invite reflection. The song’s touching question, “Should old acquaintance be forgot?” stirs up memories of the year gone by. It’s a melody that celebrates treasured moments but also stirs the ache of regret for missed opportunities, broken relationships, or words left unsaid. In its bittersweet tune, we’re reminded of the tension between joy and sorrow that accompanies looking back.

Regret is unavoidable, but it doesn’t have to define us. C.S. Lewis offers hope: “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” Biblically, regret serves a purpose when placed in God’s hands. Paul writes about a godly sorrow that leads to repentance, offering the chance to learn, reconcile, and grow. God doesn’t waste our mistakes. He transforms them, shaping us for something greater. Regret becomes a tool, not a burden, when it drives us back to the One who redeems.

But we don’t live on regret alone—joy has its role, too. The moments of goodness, laughter, and grace remind us of God’s faithfulness. These glimmers of joy from the past year aren’t fleeting; they anchor us, providing hope as we step into the future. Even in seasons of difficulty, joy points us to the unchanging truth that God is present and working in all things.

As you sing Auld Lang Syne this year, take time to reflect intentionally. Acknowledge your regrets, but don’t let them keep you stuck. Celebrate your joys and let them remind you of the goodness of God. Step into the new year with hope, trusting that with him, every regret can be redeemed, every joy multiplied, and the best is yet to come.

Apply

Ask God to redeem your regrets and guide your steps into the new year. Thank him for the joy he has given and ask for eyes to see his faithfulness daily.

Pray

Lord, thank you for walking with me through this past year—the joys, the challenges, and even the regrets. I surrender my mistakes to you, trusting in your power to redeem and restore. Help me to see your faithfulness in every moment and guide me into the new year with hope, purpose, and a heart anchored in you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.