Edition 60
Hindsight
Last Edition Recap
How have you applied the last edition to your life?
Opening Prayer
Powerful God, thank you for always seeing the bigger picture—teach us to trust you, even when things don’t work out the way we imagined. Amen.
Introduction
“Hindsight is perfect sight.”
We all carry stories of past mistakes—decisions we regret, paths we wish we hadn’t taken. Hindsight is “understanding of a situation or event only after it has happened or developed.” Unfortunately, hindsight cannot change the past, but it can give us the wisdom we need to choose differently next time.
Consider this scenario: A man prays, “Lord, protect me,” then walks past a manhole he doesn’t notice. Moments later, he’s dodging falling stones, questioning, “WHY?!” What he didn’t see was that God protected him from falling into the open manhole whilst allowing him to face the lesser danger of falling stones. In hindsight, God’s protection becomes crystal clear.
Or as the anonymous quote puts it: “I cried because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet.”
Sometimes when it doesn’t seem like God has you covered, that’s precisely when you’re protected the most. But you won’t recognise it until hindsight reveals the bigger picture.
Chat Point 1
What do you think “hindsight is perfect sight” means, and can you think of an example from your own life?
In hindsight, what are some pearls of wisdom that have changed the way you think or act?
Can you recall a time when you questioned God’s protection, only to realise later he was actually shielding you from something worse?
How does the cartoon strip about the manhole and falling stones speak to your current situation?
What does the quote “I cried because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet” teach about perspective and gratitude?
Read
John 17
Key Focus
- John 17:15 – “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.”
- John 17:20-21 – “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”
Chat Point 2
What stood out for you in John 17, and what thoughts or feelings have you had during this session?
How does it make you feel knowing Jesus prayed this specifically for you—that God would protect you from the evil one whilst keeping you in the world?
Why do you think Jesus prayed for your protection rather than your removal from danger, and what does that reveal about God’s purposes for your life?
In remembering Jesus’ prayer for you and reflecting on your life, what needs to change in response to this prayer?
How can you and your group honour Jesus’ prayer for unity and protection together in practical ways?
Final Thought
John 17:15 contains Jesus’ prayer for you: “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.” Notice what Jesus didn’t pray—he didn’t ask the Father to remove you from hardship, trials, or danger. He asked for protection whilst you remain in the world.
Like the man who avoided the manhole but faced falling stones, God’s protection doesn’t always look like the absence of problems. Sometimes God shields you from catastrophes you’ll never see, whilst allowing smaller troubles you do notice. In your limited perspective, you question, “Why?!” In hindsight, you see the manhole.
The anonymous quote captures this perfectly: “I cried because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet.” Your perspective shifts dramatically when you realise what you were actually protected from. What looks like God’s absence is often his most active presence.
God has got you covered. Sometimes when it doesn’t seem like it, that’s when you’re protected the most. Jesus prayed for your protection 2,000 years ago, and that prayer is still active over your life today. Trust him, even when things don’t work out the way you imagined.
One day, in perfect hindsight, you’ll see the entire picture. Until then, walk by faith.
My Action
What key insight or learning from this session resonates most with me, and what do I sense God is inviting me to do in response?
Shared Prayer
What are your prayer requests?
Closing Prayer
Almighty God, you deserve every bit of recognition—you’re always working for our best and eternal interests. May we never forget that you’ve got us covered and we can have faith in you. Amen.
Like the community: www.facebook.com/CoffeeChatConnect
In-Between Chats: Personal Reflection
God has got you covered—sometimes when it doesn’t seem like it, that’s when you’re protected the most. Reflect on your current situation: where might God be protecting you from something you cannot yet see?
Thank God specifically for protecting you and knowing what is best for you, then pray that his will be done in your life even when it doesn’t align with your expectations.
What do you think Jesus is trying to tell you specifically through his prayer in John 17:15, and how does this change your perspective on your current challenges?
Edition Writer: Rev Kevin Zondagh
Methodist Minister, Personal Development Specialist, Life Coach, Relationship Coach and Executive Coach. Founder and Owner of Exemplar Coaching Pty Ltd and CoffeeChatConnect. "We should have the desire to custom design the only life we have. After-all, we buy designer everything. How much more should we Live by Design, not by default?"