Dear Trekker,
Years ago, in counseling a young military mom back in the Washington DC area who had recently “fallen in love with Jesus” and desired to bring her family to the foot of the Cross, I found these words tumbling out of my mouth, “Remember, Fran, our God is the God of the Second Chance”. God did redeem that dear woman’s marriage and family, one-by-one, I am thrilled to report… a beautiful story!
A few days ago, I was wrestling (as always in the Spirit) with what I should write this month. The Holy Spirit whispered unmistakably these words: “Remind the trekkers that I am the God of the second chance.”
A few days ago, I had the most extraordinary conversation with my oldest son, perhaps as seminal a discussion I’ve ever had with him (or with anybody) in my life. My son has gone through, and is going through, some life-altering experiences. For the last eight years he has lived “what happens when God has other plans”. (As you know, trekker, one of my favorite definitions of life is “what happens when God has made other plans”.) When it all broke years ago, his mother and I rushed to Ft. Bragg, NC, to be at his side because I didn’t want him, in despair, to take his own life. By God’s grace, He did not, and by God’s grace, today he is so “caught up in love with the Rabbi”, he is giving his life completely to God and others. Another beautiful story!
In the conversation, I suggested “how God might make everything right again”. His response (in my words, summarized here) touched my heart: “You know, Dad, God IS making everything right in His own way and His time. We can’t go back. What is, is! God is in the redemption business. He is at work. He is touching my kids’ lives, bringing each of them to Himself and to me. He has prepared me to minister to my current family in ways I could not do unless He had taken me through the valleys of the last eight years. It’s okay, Dad. The wrongs of the past are all at the foot of the cross. And I am walking with the Rabbi… older, wiser and more in love with Jesus then ever before.”
Trekker, I hope I have done justice to my son’s testimony. You see… God has been in the redemption business since before the dawn of creation. John 3:16 is not Plan B… it is Plan A! God’s story (knowing man would not refrain from “ingesting” the knowledge of good and evil and would be overcome by evil) is one of pursuit and redemption despite Adam’s and each son and daughter of Adam’s, fall. God’s love for us has never changed and yet changes everything! Whether we believe it or not, it is true. When we believe it and take upon ourselves the attitude of redemption, all of life becomes new, a glorious opportunity to see God at work in every moment, issue and venue of life. And we become new creatures, too. (Memorize II Corinthians 5:17).
From failure to redemption… it has always been this way. This is the story of virtually every major character in the Biblical narrative: Abraham, a deceiver; Moses, a murderer; Joseph, a papa’s boy who let his brothers know it; David, an adulterer and murderer; Jonah, the quintessential “I’ll do it my way” kind of guy; Peter, the curser and denier of God; Saul, the elite, arrogant terrorist leader of his generation… you can add to the list my name or yours.
I recall a story I first heard when I was wearing football cleats in high school. On New Year’s Day, 1929 (five years before I was born), Georgia Tech was playing the University of California in the Rose Bowl. Late in the first half the center for Cal, Roy Riegels, recovered a fumble for California on the opponent’s 35 yard line. Confused, he started running the wrong way toward his own end zone, 65 yards behind him. He was tackled by one of his own players one yard before he went into the end zone. When California attempted to punt out of its own end zone, Georgia Tech blocked the kick and scored a safety… two points which turned out to be the margin of victory for Georgia Tech, 8-7.
During half time, California Coach Price announced the same team that started the first half would start the second half. Riegels, crest fallen, head buried in his hands, didn’t get up and leave the locker room. Coach Price said, “Let’s go Riegels.” Riegels responded, “I can’t Coach. I’ve disgraced you, the university, the team, even myself. I can’t face that crowd.” Coach Price, with hand on his shoulder and words of wisdom for the ages, replied, “Get up boy and go out there. This game is only half over.”
Wow, what a coach! I could play for that fella, couldn’t you? Of course, we all could. Well, trekker, if you are “in Christ” and have “bought into” His redemption through faith, you are playing for THE coach. God puts His hand on our shoulders everyday, after every screw-up, and says, “Get out there. I love you and I died for you and you are a winner through Me! We’ve got work to do.”
What a God! — the God of the second chance day in and day out. We too take the ball in life, are confused at times and run in the wrong direction. We stumble, we fumble, we fall. Our best passes get dropped by someone else, or somebody intercepts the “perfect pass”. We get down on ourselves and life in general and have a first-class pity party. But God says, “Look to me, get up, and never give up.”
Trekker, what if we saw every failed attempt, every screw-up, every careless act, every wayward moment of life as an opportunity for God to reveal His awesome, saving, life-empowering grace? What if we accepted responsibility and didn’t blame another. I and my oldest son know this Truth: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Saul/Paul, Philippians 4:13) Yes, trekker, look up, get up, and never give up! Your life is not over!
Your trekker brother in redemption mode,
Jim Meredith