Welcome to the blog of Pastor Alton Stone, from Simpsonville, SC. Pastor Stone is a retired Ordained Bishop of The Church of God, Cleveland, Tennessee with over 45 years of pastoral ministry.

Sunday, January 5, 2014

Second Chance

We all need a second chance now and again. I have a friend who is not a very good golfer, which is probably why his favorite thing about golf is "taking a mulligan." You know what a mulligan is, don’t you? If your first shot on the first hole is a bad one then you just pull out another golf ball, tee it up, and smile, "I’ll take a mulligan!" That means you’re starting over. You get a second chance to hit a good shot and your first shot doesn’t count against you!

That’s what God is like. When we hit a bad shot in the game of life He gives us a mulligan. He says, "Go ahead and try again." You sinned. I forgive you. You didn’t give your best. Here’s another chance. God is always ready to give us another chance when we ask for it. And we need to do the same with ourselves and with others. We need to join God in being patient and forgiving and resilient. Try again!

Now is a good time to try again. A new year can be a new beginning. Even if it isn’t the start of a new year when you’re reading this article you can make a fresh start. "I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation," we’re encouraged by the Apostle Paul (2 Corinthians 6:2). Right now is a good time to ask yourself, "What do I need to improve about my life?"

There are no good excuses for not seeking to improve ourselves. We all have problems to address and things we need to work on. We all have opportunities of one kind or another. To do our best with what we have is what life is about. When we do we will hear our Lord say, "Well done, good and faithful servant! Come and share your master’s happiness!" (Matthew 25:21).


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