SECOND CHANCES

-CoNnEcT- A recent article suggested that we are all caterpillars scooting on the ground wondering why we can’t fly. The caterpillar gets tired so he crawls into a space and takes a nap. When the caterpillar awakens he discovers that he has been given wings and a second chance at life.

-ReFlEcT- Read Romans chapter 3 and 2 Corinthians chapter 5.
Key verses: Rom. 3:23 and 2 Corinthians 5:17

The bible too is filled with stories of second chances and not only second chances but third and fourth and fifth etc.

Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”

Think about the life of David, the guy who was King of Israel. (You can read about him in 2 Samuel) He was constantly asking God for forgiveness, for a second chance to live right for Him and each time God in his mercy and grace gave him chance after chance. —Even after he had an affair with Bathsheba! His live was full of forgiveness…. and he was known as “a man after God’s own heart.”

And don’t forget about Saul a.k.a Paul. He’s the guy in the New Testament who started out killing Christians but was given a second chance to get things right. This turned out to be the second chance that would cause many people to come to accept Jesus. He ended up writing almost half of the New Testament! Talk about some change!

2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old has gone and the new has come.”

-DiReCt- We are so fortunate to have a God who can give us chance, after chance, after chance and we too can receive our second chance at life just like the caterpillars, like King David and Saul. We just need to learn to let go of all the things that hold us back, like hate, cursing, lying, disrespect towards parents and/or teachers, greed, anger, rage and un-forgiveness. If we would just take some time to rest in the presence of God and let him change us and change our situations, then we could find ourselves like a mature caterpillar, ready to fly through this life God has given us.

So we are all people who need a second chance. (because we all sin) When we allow Jesus to be the person to give us that second chance, we can become new creatures and get rid of the parts of us that need to go! I challenge you to get serious about God and see what happens. It will change your life forever.

1. Have you ever felt like you needed a second chance at something? What?
2. What does it feel like when someone doesn’t give you a second chance when you most need/want one?
3. What is something or someone that you need to give a second chance too? Maybe an old friend that you don’t speak to anymore…
Maybe someone who you haven’t allowed to play your recreational sports…
Give someone a second chance this week, because God is giving one to you. :)