Another Chance

Readings 092626

When I was young,

I did some foolish things, 

sinful things.

Moments of recklessness. 

Moments of pride.

Moments when a single choice 

could have changed everything,

and the road I was walking 

could have ended in tragedy, 

even death.

I knew the name of Jesus.

I spoke it often enough.

But knowing His name 

is not the same as knowing His ways.

My lips professed Him,

but my heart still wandered its own path.

Yet God, rich in mercy,

never stopped calling.

Never stopped pursuing.

Never stopped offering 

another chance.

A chance to repent.

A chance to return.

A chance to stand before Him honestly,

to confess my sins,

and receive the forgiveness only He can give.

It is the same truth God 

speaks to every generation.

Qoheleth says,

"Rejoice, young man, in your youth,"

yet never forget

that one day 

you will stand before God.

For youth is fleeting.

Strength fades.

The years slip by faster than we ever imagined.

The dust returns to the earth,

and the breath returns 

to God who gave it.

That is why the words of Jesus matter so much.

As He walked toward Jerusalem,

He told His disciples 

He would be handed over,

rejected,

and suffer.

Christ was walking the road 

that would open the way

for our salvation.

Yet they did not understand.

And if we are honest,

neither do we, at first.

But grace has a way 

of opening blind eyes.

I thank God

that He did not leave me 

where my sins had taken me.

He called me back.

He showed me mercy.

He revealed His grace.

He taught me His truth.

And as Saint Peter reminds us,

be earnest in making your call and election secure.

For those who persevere will not be lost,

but will be welcomed richly into the everlasting Kingdom

of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

So before our days slip away,

before the shadows lengthen,

before the final breath returns to the One who gave it,

may we remember our Creator.

May we turn to His mercy.

May we walk in His grace.

And may we follow

not only the name of Jesus,

but truly

His ways.

Prayer

Lord God,

Thank You for not abandoning me

to the consequences of my sins.

Thank You for every undeserved chance

to return to You.

Teach me to remember You

in every season of life,

to walk faithfully in Your ways,

and to trust the mercy

won for me through Christ.

Amen.