Another Chance - Again
Mercy for Good Works
“Satisfying” soft pastel by Myra Alibrando
Movies & Game Fantasies
I think the attraction to movies like “Groundhog Day” and “Edge of Tomorrow” is the idea of getting many chances to get it right, even after failing many times. It might be like a game where you keep reaching further levels with practice.
Although life is not like that, in a way, it can be. Age itself reveals that person has been practicing the “game” much longer and could probably tell you how to get through obstacles on many levels in life.
God’s Example with Me
Why would God want to win me to His love? God has won me over more than once. God has had mercy on me more times than I can specifically list. God has shown me His love, affection, attention, and acceptance thousands of times. Are you curious how this could be true?
It was not my great value that motivated God to pursue me with His love, but it was His love that motivated Him to pursue me.
… Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9b
I know others were praying for me. I also believe this genuinely afforded more opportunities than would have been possible without their petitions. I have always deserved justice but prayer can intercede asking for mercy. Because God loves this, He even looks for this.
He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm achieved salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him. Isaiah 59:16
Too Young to Appreciate His Mercy
I saw everything I did in my youth as my evolution toward a greater me; a greater purpose, a high calling. Me, me, me.
Even though I was sincere when accepting Christ, I couldn’t help trying to discover my own true potential. I rushed things: marriage, children, and by age 26, I knew I was horribly selfish. By age 29, already divorced, I felt I was doing God and the church a favor by quitting Christianity. I always appreciated God but left Him, believing I was too selfish to be a Christian.
An Unexpected Second Chance
Circumstances lined up in such a manner that at age 32, I was in a fig orchard curious if I could talk to God. God still loved me and still wanted me in His family. Fully aware of the great imbalance of a relationship of a holy, wonderful God and me, it was so illogical, I could only weep and weep. What followed in that moment, was a permanent change in my life from 1985 to this moment, nearly 40 years later.
During those 4 decades, God remained patient with my bad habits, my bad ideas, and my feeling sorry for how unappreciated I was in the world. However, my huge advantage was refusing to leave Him, to rebel against Him, or to deceive myself in order to do what I wanted. I wanted to prove to God, that I loved Him.
Chances, Again and Again. Hooray!
After more than thirty years of humbling experiences and much of my thinking transformed, I had become someone I finally liked and respected. Still immature, even into my old age, my eyes sparkle with desire to repent. I would love for you to enjoy my certainty, no matter what, that my heavenly Father loves me completely and will always love me. This has been our history together. I know that He even desires to make me, His son, happier. What a thing to be true!
Marriage, the Commitment of More Chances
Truly, this is a divine example of how marriage can also operate thru grace, repentance, and good works, if the marriage commitment holds on to allow more chances.
All marriages begin with an explosion of joy, passion, acceptance, honor, and respect. After that, we must feed our own integrity with God to be respectable, honorable, and walk in the spirit with our family. We must especially recognize God's lifelong appointment to transfer His love through us to our spouse. Maybe we feel our spouse deserves a real saint instead of us, but it is us . . . for life.
We do well and we mess up. But if both of us are willing to honor our commitment and vows, we will have another chance to again feed the flame of honor, respect, service, and joy. We will have that chance again and again, to win once more, their heart to celebrate that God sent us to them. You cannot make your spouse love you or obey God. You have your hands full being that person God wants you to be in your marriage and in your family. I know it a lot. It is a high calling.
Please, Another Chance to Do Right
You don’t have to see how another chance looks. If you want another chance, God is very creative. If you are not sure anyone is praying for you for another chance, I strongly encourage you to pray directly to God and ask Him yourself. He desires you to get it right and be His family forever.
In the realm of scientific research, the journey mirrors the spiritual and philosophical reflections presented in the article concerning perseverance, grace, and redemption through continuous chances. As a research scientist, each experiment and each study represent a new opportunity to advance, correct previous misunderstandings, or refine theories. This aligns with the narrative of receiving multiple chances to 'get it right,' much like in the movies "Groundhog Day" and "Edge of Tomorrow," where characters iterate through scenarios to improve outcomes.
The concept of being granted multiple chances resonates deeply in my professional practice. Often, experiments do not yield expected results on initial attempts. However, each failure is not a definitive end but a critical part of the learning curve—a chance to delve deeper into the mysteries of science. This iterative process is fundamental in scientific endeavors where hypothesis testing often requires adjustments and re-evaluations, embodying the spiritual act of repentance and renewal described.
Moreover, the aspect of enduring commitment, as discussed through the metaphor of marriage in the article, parallels the dedication required in scientific research. Long-term studies and prolonged periods of data collection demand a commitment reminiscent of a marital covenant, emphasizing integrity, respect for the process, and the pursuit of truth.
As in any profound relationship, my interaction with science is a dynamic interplay of challenge and reward. It demands a steadfast dedication to truth, akin to the spiritual journey towards divine love and acceptance portrayed in your reflections. Each day offers a fresh start, a new chance to contribute meaningfully to the collective human understanding, akin to the spiritual opportunities for redemption and growth highlighted in the text.
Thank you, Sam, for sharing such a reflective piece that intertwines deeply with both personal faith and professional perseverance. Your insights provide a rich tapestry of thought that enhances my appreciation for the continual opportunities presented in both life and science. I eagerly await your next article, hopeful for more enriching content that challenges and inspires.