From My Perspective - - -

Life is made up of and is filled with choices – should I have pre-marital sex; should I experiment with drugs; should I consume alcoholic beverages; should I drive while under the influence of some substance; should I allow myself to be involved in a crime; should I marry someone just so I can get out of the home and away from my parents; should I steal to get what I want – choices – so many choices - they just boggle ones mind. One would be wise to make the first choice as wisely as possible and avoid the consequences of unwise choices. If you’ve made an unwise choice, have you ever wished that someone – anyone – would give you a second chance? Do you deserve a second chance? Why should someone run the risk for you when you’ve been so stubborn and willful in the past? Instead of a second chance, what if the decision was to let you learn from experience and the consequence of making hasty and erroneous choices?

Many voices could be – would be - raised and echo: “It isn’t fair!” Most people have expressed that at one time or another – especially when attaching it to: “Others have done a lot worse than what I did.” The real measure in terms of second chances is in terms of whether or not you’re willing to accept responsibility for your past behavior and actions – and – not make excuse for what you’ve said or done. Instead, own up to it and be willing to make restitution and correct what you have done. If that’s the attitude and approach, most people would be willing to extend another chance to a repentant person. The repentant person has to be willing to admit what he/she has done and make arrangements to repair and/or repay for damage caused or property stolen. One lingering question here is – do you deserve a second chance? Does the person you’ve harmed, injured, or stolen from under any obligation to extend a second chance to you?

It would be good for all to attend a local court and observe what occurs there. Adult Court is usually Drunk and Disorderly and other crimes associated with that choice and lifestyle. Juvenile Court is especially grievous. Young People have lived for a moment and made wrong choices. They are in the court to suffer the consequences of the law for their acts and actions. The rest of their lives will be scarred and marred by what they have done in a moment. But – what if someone came forward and allowed they would not press charges if the person would only make amends and stop doing wrongful acts against the law. A Second Chance – will they respond affirmatively and accept the opportunity to head in a new direction for their life?   

The Word of God grants one Choices and Second Chances. Deuteronomy 30:11-20, “…the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it. See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil…I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days…” Each year when Easter is being celebrated, an obvious message is present, namely, there is a place for right choices and second chances. John 11:25 rings out the great truth spoken by Jesus Christ prior to His death, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live…” There can be no greater place of privilege and opportunity in terms of Second Chances than that stated in Ephesians 2:1-5, “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world…among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath…But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved…” A Choice and A Second Chance – don’t miss it! Make the wise and right choice today!  Consider these things with me!