Second Chances
Ever played golf – and made an errant tee shot? You meant to land the ball squarely in the middle of the fairway. But somehow, you sent it careening into the swampy brush on the right. It’s buried in muck – and you want to take a “mulligan.” You’re looking for a “second chance.”
There are no promises the next shot will be any better. And you are unsure how to improve – but you just want another chance. Ever been there in life? Wanting another chance?
Jonah was such a man. A prophet. Called by God to head in one direction – and he chose to go in the opposite direction. Jonah tried to flee from the presence of the Lord. But it did not work out well for him. God caught up. A great storm threatened to sink the boat. The crew did everything they could to try to save the day. But nothing worked.
Then the crew learned that Jonah was attempting to run away from God. Jonah suggested they throw him overboard. He thought God would then perhaps save the others in the boat. As a last resort, the crew casts Jonah into the water.
Then a miracle happens. The sea is calmed.
“And the LORD appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah.
And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.” (Jonah 1:17, ESV)
When Jonah was thrown overboard, God miraculously saves Jonah when a fish comes to swallow him. The crew from the boat had thrown Jonah to his certain death. But God had other plans. What had seemed certain gave way to an opportunity for a great miracle. God delivered the people on the boat from the storm … and He delivers Jonah from the consequences of his actions.
He got a “mulligan”!
God would use a storm and a great fish to get Jonah back in the right direction. Can you relate? How has God gotten your attention when you were headed the wrong way?
This is what God does. He is a God of second chances. Though certainly not a pleasant experience for Jonah, he could have saved himself from a lot of hardship if he had listened to God from the beginning. But he was stubborn like many of us. He thought he knew better.
Sometimes we are that way too … thinking we know better. But God is at work to draw us back. Jonah was anguished in his distress, but he knew God would provide his deliverance. Jonah’s prayer was a wordy way of saying, “God, I believe you will get me out of this mess!”
After three days, the fish “vomits” Jonah onto dry land – also not a pleasant experience. But he is given a second chance – a new start – a ‘mulligan’.
How has God corrected your course in the past? What does it mean to you to have a new start? When we are willful to disobey God, He can bring us to our knees – to give us a “mulligan.” Use your second chances to be on course with God – and fulfill His purpose in your life.
Think about it!