There is something exhilarating about beginning something new. A new school. A new job. A new career or a new relationship, they all have the same effect…it’s a “Do Over.”
When I was in high school, I took an art class and one of the projects was working with clay. Once you got over the messy and grittiness of the clay, it was quite enjoyable to make a vase, cup, or sculpture. The difference in working with clay as compared to woodworking, was that if you messed up, you could simply wad up the clay and start over. My art teacher called it a “do over.” I must admit that I was much better as a “do over” than an artist.
I think our lives are a lot like working in this medium. We begin by working with our very own lump of clay and it is up to us what we make of it. During my lifetime, I have experienced three major “do overs.” After my retirement from the Coast Guard, I took a job paying $5 an hour to learn the trade of a computer technician. I later sold my computer business and started another job paying $8 an hour to learn the call center business. And last, I followed the call of full time ministry. With each opportunity, I was given a fresh lump of clay. It was up to me how I worked that lump into a new life.
I have messed up many times in my life. I think we could all say that we wish we could undo a decision or take back some words spoken. Wouldn’t it be great if there was an undo button in our lives where we could just undo an event or a time where we got into trouble?
I have had missed opportunities where I wished I could have a “do over.”
Rarely do we get the opportunity to start over. Starting over would mean turning our backs on past mistakes and look forward with hope that this time around, things would be different and better.
I have found very few people that are absolutely happy with their lives. They wouldn’t think of making any changes and I admire them. However on the flip side, I find the majority of people wish that they had done things differently and generally would like to start over.
I feel like many of us see the advantage of a “do over” or two. We want to see what the future holds with the hope for something better.
Today I want us to focus on the most important “do over” given to man. Open your bible and turn to 2 Corinthians 5:14-17.
2 Corinthians 5:14-21 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. 16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
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