"Second Chances"

“Second Chances”

“Second Chance Points” is a basketball term which refers to points scored after a shot is missed and the ball is recovered by the same team, giving another opportunity to make a basket. It’s an important part of the game because the more attempts at the hoop the better the possibilities of scoring, which increases the odds of earning a victory.

God brought this sports’ phrase to mind recently while I was driving to a hospice event. I was listening to Chuck Swindoll as he described Paul’s and Barnabas’ discussion (read argument) in Acts 15 surrounding whether or not to take John Mark along on their second missionary trip. Paul was against his accompanying them because he had left them early on in the first journey but Barnabas wanted to give the young man a second chance. When their differences couldn’t be resolved they parted company. Fast forward about twenty years. Paul is imprisoned in Rome awaiting execution when he wrote to his protégé Timothy, “Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:11). Barnabas’ encouraging spirit had paid off and Mark became a valuable asset to Paul as well as the entire church as the author of the gospel bearing his name.

Our New Hampshire Youth Pastor, Paul Pack, often spoke of our Lord as “The God of Second Chances”. By this he meant He doesn’t give up on us when we blow it but is ready to accept us when we come to Him in faith (“The Lord…is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”—2 Peter 3:9). Maybe Peter had Jesus’ words in mind as he wrote when after he asked the Lord if it was enough to forgive someone who sinned against him seven times Jesus answered, “…Not seven times, but seventy-seven times (or perhaps seventy times seven).” (Matthew 18:22). In other words, don’t stop forgiving.

In his book Simplify Bill Hybels says, “You serve a God of fresh starts, of second chances, of new days.” So before we write people off let’s be mindful of the second, third, fourth and hundredth fresh starts and chances God’s given us. And remember Paul’s admonition: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32, emphasis added).

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan