Have You Ever Needed a Second Chance?

Good morning! I hope your weekend was restful and that you find yourself rejuvenated as you enter into this new week.

Today I want to challenge you with the thought of second chances. This past week I have had the opportunity to interact with several people who were going through a time of deep spiritual struggle over whether to give another person or group a “second chance.”

Think back with me if you will to the school playground that you played on as a kid. When I was young, I played rousing games of kickball, four square, tag and whatever else imaginative little minds could think of. I was not always the most coordinated kid and so there were times when I would ask for a “do over.” Did you ever ask for any “do overs?”

As I go through life, I still find that I don’t always have it together. There are many times that I fail not only myself, but others as well. I struggle with self doubt or I say an unkind word only to be filled with a suitcase full of regrets and overwhelming thoughts of how this all could have turned out so different. Fortunately for us, the forgiveness of Christ allows us to experience “do overs” on a regular basis. Here’s where I want us to focus in though. Even though we regularly experience the freedom of forgiveness that we receive in Jesus Christ, we are not always ready or willing to extend that to others.

Let me share with you a brief passage of scripture:

Philemon 1:15-16 (NLT)

Perhaps you could think of it this way: Onesimus ran away for a little while so you could have him back forever. [16] He is no longer just a slave; he is a beloved brother, especially to me. Now he will mean much more to you, both as a slave and as a brother in the Lord.

The book of Philemon is a letter from Paul to his friend Philemon. Philemon had owned a slave named Onesimus who had run away. Now in the day and time of this letter the penalty for a slave who had run away could potentially be death. But during Onesimus’ time on the run, something amazing had happened. Onesimus had encountered the Apostle Paul and through their interaction, Onesimus had become a follower of Jesus. He was a changed man and because he was a changed man, Paul in the verses above asks for Philemon to give Onesimus a second chance.

Paul admonishes Philemon not to receive Onesimus back as a returned slave, but instead welcome him home as a Christian brother. When someone hurts us or fails us it is hard at times to offer those second chances. We say “fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me,” and we take on the heart of a cynic. But we must remember we serve the God of transformed lives. Transforming us from sinful people into radiant reflections of His glory is His specialty.

This week God may be showing you that its time to give someone or even a group of people a second chance. Remember changed lives are the greatest testimony of the Lord’s handiwork. If you are able to see His transforming touch in your life, then trust that He can transform those lives around, that He can transform a bad situation and use it for His glory. Remember God is still in control.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl