Second Chance

One November morning, through tears, I shared with the women in my Bible study group that I was preparing to face the most challenging day of my life. In just twelve days, I would fly home to Wisconsin to plead guilty and be sentenced in federal court for having committed two felonies: making a false statement and misprision.

In Bible study, we were studying the book of Jonah. Many of us, Christian or not, know the story of Jonah and the whale. God had called Jonah to go to the city of Nineveh and warn its people to turn back from their wicked ways. Not wanting to obey God, Jonah escaped on a ship but was thrown overboard during a storm and then swallowed by a huge fish. He remained in the belly of that fish for three days and nights until he asked God for forgiveness. Jonah eventually went to the city of Nineveh and did as God requested.

The story of Jonah obviously teaches us about Jonah, but in some ways, it teaches us more about God. Through Jonah’s experience, God revealed that he pours out his wrath on the wicked, but he also pours out his grace and mercy on those who repent. God wants us to repent and turn away from sin because he wants to give us a second chance.

Wherever you find yourself now, God knew that you would be here. It’s not a surprise to him, and it wasn’t by chance or accident. God knew you before you were born. He thought about you and planned for you, and you are immeasurably valuable to him.

God loves you, and there’s nothing you have done or could do to lose his love. He wants to meet you right where you are and become an integral part of your life. He created you in his image to be his forever friend, his child.

You have been called. You have been chosen. You have been set apart for such a time as this. With this second chance, will you embrace the perfect plan that God has for your life? It’s up to you.