Second chances. They don't come around often, but they're something probably every single one of us longs for. We'd do just about anything to have a do-over, another try at something with the wisdom we've gained from the mistake we made or the opportunity we messed up. The ironic thing, though, is we needed to mess up in order to gain that wisdom.
I've been thinking about why second chances matter. Why do I care so much if I get another chance? Maybe because I want the opportunity to prove my growth in maturity, to practice my newfound wisdom, to experience healing in a broken relationship. Maybe it's also because the longing for redemption is ingrained in every fiber of my being.
This longing goes all the way back to Adam and Eve. Their relationship with God was perfect. They walked and talked with God in the perfect garden He created for them. They were able to experience God's beauty, love and goodness in a very personal way.
Until they decided they wanted more.
When Eve took that first bite of fruit the serpent enticed her with, that was the beginning of a long chain of decisions that would separate her and the rest of humankind from the God who formed and loves every one of us. This separation was the Big Mistake, the ultimate mess up. Ever since that moment there has been an emptiness in all of us, a deep longing for something to make us feel whole again. There's been an unceasing desire for redemption, a second chance.
God gave us that second chance when He sent His Son, God incarnate, to live among us and invite us back into a relationship with Him. Although we broke God's heart, He became vulnerable to us and took the first step toward us to repair our mistake and redeem our empty hearts.
To think that God, a perfect, holy Being, would offer us a second chance when we least deserved it is remarkable. You would think that humans might take a hint and learn to offer more second chances to each other.
Why is it so difficult for us to forgive and let others back in after they've hurt us? We're guarded, we put walls around our hearts. We're afraid to be vulnerable, probably because we fear that no one will ever love the person we really are. We don't know how to love like God loves; our love has conditions.
There are relationships I'd like to have a do-over in; I wish I could try things differently with the wisdom I've gained. I'd try to practice grace and unconditional love, but I will never reach the level of perfection that my Father has.
But I can try. And I can seek forgiveness. Admitting wrong and asking to be forgiven are the hardest steps but the most crucial in the process to redemption. Maybe if we lived with the vulnerability of Christ we would experience more second chances. We could learn how to forgive and give others the chance to start over.
Maybe we need to give ourselves a second chance. We'll have a difficult time trying to forgive others if we can't forgive ourselves first.
"Second Chances"
Needtobreathe
All my past is color
Placed inside my hands
Empty is the canvas
Patiently I plan
Stars are bright above me
That’s not where I am
Greens will be behind me
Blues will make the man
I can’t help but fear I’ve done this wrong
Cause seldom second chances come along
Greys are all around me
Fading into black
Stars were bright above me
Won’t you bring them back
I can’t help but fear I’ve done this wrong
Cause seldom second chances come along
If time can break us, will it make us strong
Cause seldom second chances come along
I've been thinking about why second chances matter. Why do I care so much if I get another chance? Maybe because I want the opportunity to prove my growth in maturity, to practice my newfound wisdom, to experience healing in a broken relationship. Maybe it's also because the longing for redemption is ingrained in every fiber of my being.
This longing goes all the way back to Adam and Eve. Their relationship with God was perfect. They walked and talked with God in the perfect garden He created for them. They were able to experience God's beauty, love and goodness in a very personal way.
Until they decided they wanted more.
When Eve took that first bite of fruit the serpent enticed her with, that was the beginning of a long chain of decisions that would separate her and the rest of humankind from the God who formed and loves every one of us. This separation was the Big Mistake, the ultimate mess up. Ever since that moment there has been an emptiness in all of us, a deep longing for something to make us feel whole again. There's been an unceasing desire for redemption, a second chance.
God gave us that second chance when He sent His Son, God incarnate, to live among us and invite us back into a relationship with Him. Although we broke God's heart, He became vulnerable to us and took the first step toward us to repair our mistake and redeem our empty hearts.
To think that God, a perfect, holy Being, would offer us a second chance when we least deserved it is remarkable. You would think that humans might take a hint and learn to offer more second chances to each other.
Why is it so difficult for us to forgive and let others back in after they've hurt us? We're guarded, we put walls around our hearts. We're afraid to be vulnerable, probably because we fear that no one will ever love the person we really are. We don't know how to love like God loves; our love has conditions.
There are relationships I'd like to have a do-over in; I wish I could try things differently with the wisdom I've gained. I'd try to practice grace and unconditional love, but I will never reach the level of perfection that my Father has.
But I can try. And I can seek forgiveness. Admitting wrong and asking to be forgiven are the hardest steps but the most crucial in the process to redemption. Maybe if we lived with the vulnerability of Christ we would experience more second chances. We could learn how to forgive and give others the chance to start over.
Maybe we need to give ourselves a second chance. We'll have a difficult time trying to forgive others if we can't forgive ourselves first.
"Second Chances"
Needtobreathe
All my past is color
Placed inside my hands
Empty is the canvas
Patiently I plan
Stars are bright above me
That’s not where I am
Greens will be behind me
Blues will make the man
I can’t help but fear I’ve done this wrong
Cause seldom second chances come along
Greys are all around me
Fading into black
Stars were bright above me
Won’t you bring them back
I can’t help but fear I’ve done this wrong
Cause seldom second chances come along
If time can break us, will it make us strong
Cause seldom second chances come along
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