A second chance for all of us

Some of you might remember the VeggieTales. This animated series had fruit and vegetable characters retelling stories from the Bible, with episodes giving life lessons with a biblical world view.

One of my favorite VeggieTales stories was about Jonah. It includes a song about the God of second chances.

The year 2023 is now upon us. It is a time for all of us to have a second chance.

Perhaps a second chance in things like exercise and diet. Even more so, I hope you will see the opportunities that God is giving you for a second chance in living a life pleasing to God.

As a matter of fact, God is not only the God of second chances, but the God of third and fourth and unlimited chances for his children who confess their faults and weaknesses and come to him for help.

1 John 1:9 reminds us that, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

And hear the words from Lamentations 3:21-23: “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

What a great reminder that we have these blessings poured out on us every day for our whole life.

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)

The ultimate blessing we have is the gift of eternal salvation, life with God forever.

“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Because we have received the opportunity from God to start new each day, we should also give that gift to others.

Colossians 3:13 shows us how to live this out. “Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”