Do Over

When I was a child growing up, I was blessed to live in a wonderful neighborhood called “Edgemoor”.  Folks that lived there were more than neighbors; they became family.  Since our family’s yellow brick house sat on a corner lot, our large yard was the neighborhood playground.  So many games of kickball, softball, volleyball and many other games were played in our yard with tons of neighborhood kids (and sometimes my parents!).  We would stay out for hours and just beg our parents for “a few more minutes”.  Friendships were formed; memories made; lessons taught.  One thing I distinctly remember is that when we were playing softball or kickball, if there was a play that was controversial, and the two teams couldn’t come to a decision about who was out or safe or if it was a foul ball, “the powers in charge” on each time would just yell “do over”.  “Do over” meant we would just wipe the slate clean of the original play, and literally start again as if there had never been an original play.  “Do overs” took care of many squabbles, angry emotions and arguments that could’ve gone on forever.

God, in His infinite mercy, seems to be the Master of “do overs”.  Think about it.

I was first drawn to God as a young child.  But I knew that God was holy, and I was a sinner.  I knew Jesus was the ONLY ONE who was the bridge to get me back to God and be reconciled to Him. I’m not sure if I understood all of that at the age of 10, but I knew I was missing something and was empty inside. When I prayed to ask Jesus to come into my heart and life and be my Savior, He came in and filled me up.  Immediately, I was different on the inside.  The “do over” process started to take place!!

Psalm 103:12 reminds me and all of us that He removed “my sins as far as the east is from the west” Psalm 103:12. What a comfort! That burden of sin lifted!!

But He does the same for every individual who ever calls on Him as Savior.  You don’t have to be in church; you don’t have to talk with a preacher; you don’t have to be with anyone else; you can totally be alone with God and Jesus!

When we think back on people in the Bible, “do overs” seem to be the norm vs the exception. 

Peter is the first one that comes to mind.  His mouth got him into trouble always as he spoke before he thought.  Not only was he impulsive with his speech, but his actions were impulsive with a capital I.  His actions usually got him into trouble.  But yet, Peter, the disciple that seemed to struggle the most is the one who Jesus would use to spread the gospel.  Peter…the disciple who we see fail the most is the one who would preach at Pentecost!! 

Peter, the one who walked on water for a brief moment or two, wasn’t there at the crucifixion; he baled; he blew it!! Not only was Peter not there, but he denied knowing Jesus not once, not twice but three times when Jesus needed him most!!  Don’t you know Peter beat himself up for being a coward for not even acknowledging to a servant girl that He knew Jesus of Nazareth?  But Jesus didn’t hold a grudge. Instead of that betrayal holding Peter back, Jesus gives him a “do over”.  More than anyone in the Bible, Peter exemplifies to me how Jesus never gives up on us and how a “do over” from Jesus can totally transform your life like nothing else!  Peter became a leader among the disciples, but more importantly he became a leader in God’s kingdom.  He became a witness that grew the church and traveled far and wide to tell so many about His friend, Jesus, who was also God’s Son and the Savior of the world.  Peter grew into the potential Jesus saw in him…all because of the “do over”.  Peter exemplifies the transforming power of allowing Jesus to change you from the inside!!

Moses is another favorite person of mine in the Bible.  But early on in his life, most people would consider Moses a failure.  He lost his temper (yes, I know it was for a good reason defending a fellow Hebrew), but he actually killed a man. Bottom line…he committed murder!! Not only was he on the run, he stayed in the desert for 40 years.  How in the world could God still use a killer?  How could God make something of a man who had fled his own people and was hiding out in the remote parts of the land?  But He did.  God gave Moses a huge “do over” as well.  This man of God led the Israelites when he himself didn’t know the exact plan; this man of God put up with uncertainty, whining, complaining and always having to be in charge;  this man of God, who was “slow of speech” went before Pharoah as God’s spokesperson; this man of God had an incredible faith so much so that he was included in the Hall of Fame/Faith in Hebrews 11.

What about David?  Yes, I know David sinned when he had relations with Bathsheba (another man’s wife) and then plotted to have Uriah killed.  He committed two horrible sins.  He suffered some major consequences for his sins…losing his firstborn child, having family troubles and conflict with his son, etc.  But still.  God used him mightily as a great king over Israel.  God used the phrase when speaking of David, “Man after my own heart.”  The Psalms reveal to us the timeless truths about Our Sovereign God, but they so allow us to glimpse the heart of this sinful but devoted man of God.  I so relate to David…praising God in song one minute, and then realizing my sin the next!  But yet, Jesus would come from the line of David!! How stunning and humbling is that!!

What about Paul?  Most of us would consider him the greatest missionary and witness for Jesus Christ that has ever lived.  But God gave this zealot a major “do over”.  Prior to his Damascus Road experience where Saul met the One True God, Saul was on the wrong side of things and killing believers!!  God provided Saul such a “do over” that he even changed his name in the process!  Talk about a major overhaul!!  What an incredible blessing!!  God could’ve kicked Saul to the street, but instead he used that zeal, knowledge of the scriptures, and his passion for good.

The woman at the well is just another example of how Jesus is the ONLY ONE who can provide us “do overs” – even when He knows the worst about us!

Are you discouraged and feel like you’ve messed up too much for God to redeem you and make anything valuable out of your life?  Do you feel as if you’ve sinned or been too bad for God to redeem you? All I can say is you’re in good company, friend.  All of us, including most people featured in the Bible, are in the same boat.

The longer I live, the more I realize that God is so gracious and merciful.  There are still consequences to our poor choices and sin.  But oh, the “do overs” God provides are stunning!!  He, as our Maker, Creator and Heavenly Father, wants the best for us. 

One of the boys that lived in my neighborhood was Ricky.  Ricky was probably the best athlete…and went on to be a major league baseball player for a short time (before he became a preacher!).  But I digress.  You can only imagine how competitive Ricky was as a kid.  After all, he was an incredible athlete.  The rest of us were mediocre at best.  But Ricky didn’t always LIKE when we called “do overs”.  He was super competitive!!  He wanted to be on the winning team (and usually was because of his own athletic skills).

So, what’s my point?  Most of us kids pushed for “do overs” because we knew it was best to keep us all friends, to keep us all playing and not arguing.  Our Heavenly Father definitely knows what’s best for each of us.  We just need to let God “call the shots” and provide His best vs being like Ricky and wanting our own way.

Of course, none of us can literally go back and erase little, big or massive mistakes we’ve made in life.  But when we turn our life over to Jesus, and we do our part to read the Word and stay connected to Him in prayer, the “old self” begins to decrease and die off. The “new self” begins to emerge as part of the “do over” only Jesus offers (Ephesians 4:22-32).

About a month ago, Norman and I went to Waffle House one Saturday morning for breakfast.  We struck up a conversation with our waitress.  She informed us that she had been sober for 6 years+.  Her words, countenance and tone of voice indicated how grateful she was.  I asked her point blank if it was God who helped turn her life around.  Without hesitation, she told me it was – and that He helps her daily to keep it in the right lane.  Isn’t that true for each of us, whether we have an addiction or not? 

So if you’ve disrespected your spouse, if you’ve lost your temper with your kids, if you’ve cussed and let something slip when you shouldn’t have, if you’ve gossiped, if you’ve had ugly thoughts, if you’ve been a glutton with food, if you’ve not just had a drink or two but gotten drunk, if you’ve blown your witness at work, if you’ve done things you’re not proud of, if you have an addiction, if you’ve succumbed to temptation in your thought life, actions or whatever the case may be… come before the Lord, confess it all specifically and repent.  Turn from that behavior and humbly ask the Lord for a “do over”.  Don’t be flippant. Realize the gift of forgiveness and starting over comes with a huge sacrifice that cost Jesus His precious and perfect life.  Realize you’re not capable of the “do over” on your own…only through the blood of Jesus.

Give God your junk. Ask Him to forgive you.  Again.  Trust and believe that He can transform you and give you a “do over”.  In Jeremiah 32:17, the prophet reminds us that “nothing is too difficult for him”. 

I’m praising and thanking God for the “do overs” He has given me in my life.  And that He continues to be patient with me when I don’t learn from my mistakes and keep repeating them – or when I don’t trust Him fully.  He is a merciful, patient, loving and incredible Heavenly Father who always gives His children “do overs” and provides what’s best.

Take time to thank Him for being a God of the “do over” today.

Someone reading this post needs this message today. I’m praying for you!