Second chances in life
Advent
The Bible, the whole love letter, is about God’s love for us and his heart to give us all a second chance. The Second Coming is a pivot around which Advent is wound and why, this time of the year, we celebrate the Second Adam. Because the first Adam had erred – big time.
Wishing I could have done things differently
First Adam aside, why do you and I need second chances? Well, I can tell you why I need it. I have messed up more than I care to count or admit. And perhaps, like me, you can relate to having done something inappropriate you deeply regret doing or being part of.
It is safe to say that all of us have a story to tell about an incident that we wish we could have handled differently or a time when we hoped for a completely different outcome. Some of us know all too well the pain of shedding innumerable tears of shame, fear, guilt, you name it. Our hearts have yearned for a do-over.
But if you or I had to do it all over again, we may find ourselves acknowledging, albeit reluctantly, that if we were privy to the same information as when the incident/event happened, we would probably do things exactly the same as before. It is the nature of this thing called life.
Learning life lessons
Part of the human experience is living to tell the proverbial tale and learning the life lessons. Often, we find ourselves blundering through life having read all the world’s most esteemed classics, but it is our life experiences and lives lived that make us truly interesting and alive.
In my opinion, there is at best one Book that is truly transformational, but even the Bible only truly transforms when we put into practice. The Word cuts our hearts and we respond differently in how we live – repentance is definitely the key. It is a living faith after all.
Once again, as mentioned previously this month, I am reminded that faith without deeds is dead. No, we do not earn salvation through works but we work it out through action. One has to put one’s faith into practice.
And once on that path of living out a dream, faithfully taking action, pursuing a career, whatever it is – there are plenty of potholes, doubts, misgiving and mistakes along the way. But one has to keep going on in faith, despite the obstacles – blundering and blabbering through is how it gets done. Challenging, isn’t it?
Agri’s Got Talent
Recently, I saw someone live up to their name as they acted, or is it performed, in faith. Let me explain.
About mid-November, I had the privilege of attending a different AGT altogether: Agri’s Got Talent, only in this case, farm workers compete for the prize. It is America’s Got Talent with a decidedly South African twist, and it exceeded my expectations.
This was the decennial edition when former winners took to the stage to celebrate the best of the last 10 years. Superbly sublime; it hit all the right notes – well, most of the time.
The founder shared that the competition came into existence during dark days; when the industry was reeling from and besmirched with news-grabbing negative publicity. While acknowledging that there had been real instances of wrong doing and misdemeanour; there was a great need to highlight the positive and find ways to uplift the community.
AGT was, in a sense, an answer. It proved to be a catalyst for better days helping, as it were, to kick those negative stories into the embers of yesteryear. Remarkably, there have been many success stories to share since its inception – from promotions at work to overseas travel to an obvious confidence boost of character. The training required produced phenomenal voices and inspiring performances.
An outstanding performance
But for me, one performer stood out. As it would be, initially not producing the best performance of the night.
As the evening was drawing to a close, the 2021 winner, formerly a general worker from a wine estate in Botrivier took to the stage. It was quickly apparent that something was off.
She appeared to look both livid and disappointed in herself, and left the stage in a huff. I do not think she blamed anyone, it was seemingly disgust aimed squarely at herself.
The audience and presenter tried to coax Faith Nogemane back onstage toredo her performance. I, too, was egging her on as I sensed it was a pivotal moment for her as a singer/performer and also for her character. There she was, curiously, in a pole position to make things aright and walk away from the night a victor, instead of leaving having tasted defeat.
To my immense delight, she came out and nailed it.
Failure averted
I have certainly had moments where I wished I could have had a do-over. Sadly, those opportunities were few and far between. And when they came – I blew it. A pattern emerged: so terrified of failing again was I that I inevitably failed, again. That was why I was so ridiculously proud when she put herself on the line and bravely walked back onto that stage and OWNED it.
She showed me what it meant to show up and have faith, despite having just experienced the first very public setback of the night. I watched her literally hauling herself back up the stairs, take centre stage, and do it over successfully – kicking failure to the kerb and into the dustbin of past mistakes.
I cannot tell you how wide my chest swelled with pride on her behalf. Watching her walk tall with her head held high, effulgent as she exited that stage, was a gift many of us simply don’t get.
Sorry won’t cut it
Some of our failures have dire consequences – some have left others scarred, hurt, heart-broken and, in worse-case scenarios people have been injured or even died. Sometimes, a do-over in this life is impossible; the chance will simply never come again. Sometimes, no amount of saying sorry can fix it.
The guilt just can’t be assuaged. Nightmares won’t end. We need someone greater than ourselves to intervene, to pardon us. To tell us that it is going to be alright, not in a trite way but actually give us hope and assurance that things can be different, situations can be turned around and guilt can be removed. We need our consciences cleared and for peace to return.
That is where the Living God comes in – he died for us so that we can live. Someday, we will get to spend an eternity with Him in a place unmarred by sin. An abode where perfection exists, while pain, heart-break and hurt are absent. There are no tears in heaven. Sounds heavenly, doesn’t it?
A Father’s love
And he died so that we can have this privilege when we were the biggest sin bags and didn’t even think we needed Him. How great the love the Father has lavished on us indeed.
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!
1 John 3:1
That is the central tenet of the Bible: the Good News of the Gospels. We can have a do-over and change our lives. Our paltry efforts to do life riddled with our weakness and failings can be overturned when we accept the Lord as our Saviour. Our guilt can be expunged; exchanged for peace given to us by the Prince of Peace.
And that what is what we celebrate this Christmas, the Good News of the birth of our Saviour. Yes, to us a child was given and it is why we are so ecstatic this time of the year. Our Redeemer, Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem two millennia ago!
And we wait in anticipation of his Second Coming when we get to go home for eternity. Simply divine, isn’t it?
I would love to hear stories of God’s miraculous second chance in your life. Please feel free to fill me in on all the details. If you have found some inspiration in this, please, like the post by clicking on the heart at the bottom of the post. Support on social media would also make this heart happy.
Please note Scripture quoted throughout is taken from the New International Version.
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