January 24, 2018 - I love to play golf. The only problem is I'm just not that good at it. I enjoy the company of the people I'm playing with, the beauty of the course, even the thrill of competition. I have tried practicing to get better but it dosen't seem to work for me. But there is one thing that improves my game every time I use it, and that's something golfers like to call a "mulligan". A mulligan is when you get to hit another ball from the same place if you don't like the way you hit it the first time. It's the same thing as what we called a "do over" when we were kids. Wouldn't it be great if we could have "mulligans" and "do overs" in all aspects of our lives? It would change the whole "game of life" for us. If we found out that a decision we made was bad we could stop, go back to where we messed up, and try again. We could start over from that spot and make some positive adjustments and do it all again but this time getting to the place we wanted to be. Well, I am here to tell you that with God you can . That's right our God is the God of beginning again. He gives us "do overs".
Jesus, in a conversation with the young man Nicodemus, says to him, "unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God ". He then goes on to tell him in that conversation how much God loved him and everyone else in the world and that whoever believed that His son was the salvation of the world would not die but live with him forever. Jesus tells him everyone could have a "mulligan/ do over" at life if they would believe in Him. God wants us to succeed in not only this life, but more importantly, eternity. So He sent His son to die for our mistakes (sins) so that we might be "born again".
Then in Luke 9:23 Jesus tells us how we can do things over every day when he says, "If anyone would come after me let Him deny himself daily, take up his cross and follow me." He knows that we are going to make some mistakes, bad choices, wrong decisions, even make some wrong turns on our journey through life. But if we call out to Him and admit we messed up, He will hear us and give us a second chance on life. And here's the best news : He is willing to give you another chance no matter how many times or how bad you messed up. He offers an unlimited supply of "mulligans" for life. The only way to lose this game of life, is not to use the free gift of a " do over on life" that God offers us all.
God loves you and wants you to know that He is there for you. He wants you to win at life. Don't be afraid to ask God for a second chance. After all, He is the God of beginning again.
I'm just Sayin
Mike Belgard
