Our God is the God of second chances. He's not done with us if we're still breathing. We'll have more opportunities to serve Him even when we've run out of gas or crashed by the side of the road. I've been there. May yet again. No guarantees that you'll escape trials and tribulations. As Jesus said--'In the world you will have tribulation' (John 16: 33). Not 'might have' but 'will have'. Yikes!
A tough one for me happened decades ago, when I voluntarily left a pastorate, leaving lots of angry people both for and against me. The vast majority were supportive but a few were, oy veh, filled with ire, to put it mildly. To a handful, I was persona non grata. Not a title I aspired to. Pain was palpable, both with those in my favor and those boiling tar ready for feathering me on my way out of Dodge.
I knew in my heart that the only church that would ever want me as pastor was in some little town in Nowheresville Podunk. A desperate berg filled with those who never ask questions, who could care less. Any such place out there? I didn't bother looking. I was done. Finished. Caput.
Ever felt that way? Had it up to here? Totally fed up? If so, here's a word from God in Zechariah 1: 17--'Cry out again, Thus says the Lord of hosts. My cities shall again overflow with prosperity, and the Lord will again comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem.' Four times that little word shows up in this one verse. 'Again'...and 'again'. Then 'again'...and once more 'again'.
That takes a load off my mind for the Lord is not done with us as long as we seek His direction in our lives. When I admit that I mess up, owning up to wanting my way with my timing in my whatever, then watch what can happen. Simply put, God wants a more humble me. His daily special? Humble pie. Grab a piece and join me, won't you?
Years later, I was enjoying a financial planning career with a large investment firm, when a client contacted me to see if I could preach in her church for two Sundays. That's all they need. Two Sundays. No more, no less. Preach this week and again the next. Again--there's that word.
Fourteen years later, I retire from that 2-week stint and hand over the church keys to a young man who'll be a super pastor for their future. For fourteen years, I've been there again and again and again and again. All in the same town where I was nearly tarred and feathered.
Now I genuinely want to see what the Lord will do. Instead of singing 'Going My Way', I make a melody of Jesus' musical notes with His rhythm and His lyrics producing overtones of God's will with Jesus as lead singer.
I'm grateful that He took me out of the bone pile. Made me useful in His service. If Jesus does that for me, think about what He'll do for you. By all means, let Him. Stop being so down in the mouth. Get up. Stand up. Hold your head up high. In His direction for a change. Move aside and see what He will do.
Interested? Surprises await. Again and again. With Christmas day just around the corner, isn't it surprising that God sent His Son to give new life to His fallen people? Second chances all wrapped up in a Babe found nestled safe and secure in a manger in a cave in Bethlehem of all places. God's second chances. Let's celebrate that fact this coming week.
Merry Christmas!
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for always being there for me. For your sake. Amen.
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