Second Chances

A couple nights ago, I laid awake in bed at about 3:00 AM. I’m not sure why, but I woke up in the middle of the night thinking about second chances. Sometimes they come after a colossal failure or near-death experience. Other times it may just come as new career opportunity, financial windfall, or even a new relationship. The fact is, we have all likely experienced many second chances in our lifetime. Even as I write this introduction, I’m both struck and convicted by this question rattling around in my feeble brain, “What are you doing with your second chances?”

The human mind is so fickle. We can be ecstatic about a new job opportunity and then six months later already be updating the resume looking for something new. The relationship that consumes your every thought and desire can quickly become “an ol’ ball and chain”, breeding animosity and resentment toward one another. We so quickly forget and take for granted the opportunities we are given, tossing them to the side while we look to something or someone else to fill the hole. In the same way, we throw away the second chances we are given at life. Our lights gets snuffed out in dull apathy and disregard for the miracles we’ve experienced and we go about life “near-sighted and blind”, forgetting where we came from and having no idea where we’re going.

What second chance are you living in right now? Are you really living it to the fullest? Are you taking advantage or taking for granted? If the latter is true for you as it can often be for me, take some time to consider the miracles you’ve seen in your life. Give some thought to the opportunities you’ve been given and the relationships that have blessed your life. Grab onto the gift of those second chances and treasure them. Live the life that your soul truly longs for, fully alive to the goodness and grace that has been given to you, and take advantage of the opportunity.

So, what are you going to do with your second chance?