Do You Like Second Chances?
by Dan Jones, M.D.
John 21:15
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
Do you like second chances? There were several examinations I took in medical school where I wanted (and needed) a second chance. During my second year of medical school, I really tired of studying. I was ready to get out of the classroom and begin seeing patients. A few times, I failed to study adequately. Not once did a professor offer me a second chance at one of these exams.
When I began my clinical rotations, I was disappointed to discover that there were still plenty of challenges. I remember my first attempt at starting an intravenous line. Of course, I was nervous and scared. I am certain I caused this poor patient more pain and anxiety than was good. But I will never forget his response after I had failed miserably in my first attempt to get the needle in the vein. When I turned to my intern to ask him to make the second attempt, the patient looked at both of us and said, "No, you need to try it again. I'm sure you'll get it this time. And I did. How grateful I am to that patient for giving me another chance.
Jesus gave Peter a second chance, as well. In this scripture, we see Jesus inviting Peter to be a part of His Kingdom's work. He invited Peter to "Feed my sheep". This conversation took place just days after Peter had denied Jesus. Jesus had warned Peter he would be unfaithful. Peter could not imagine that he would ever deny knowing Jesus. But, when it looked as though Jesus would die, Peter lost faith - and courage. He failed Jesus during His time of need.
But Jesus forgave Peter. He gave him a second chance. God has been giving second chances all the time He has been dealing with man. Just think of the examples of men who had great failures in their lives: Abraham and his sin with his wife's maid, David and his great sin with Bathsheba, Jacob stealing the birthright from Esau, Moses killing the Egyptian, and Paul killing Christians in the early years of his life. And yet God used each of these men in great ways. And he used them after their failures.
God is still offering second chances. Regardless of the failures in your life to this point, God loves you. He will come to you after your failure. He wants you to be a part of His Kingdom's work.
Lord, thank you for being a God of second chances. Forgive me of my sins and failures. Use me in your Kingdom's work.
Dan Jones, M.D., MACP, FAHA, a board-certified Internist, a former medical missionary to Korea, professor of medicine at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine, Dean of the School of Medicine, and Chancellor of the University of Mississippi until 2015. Dr. Dan Jones is a member of CMDA.
Dr. Jones welcomes any comments or questions about what he has written and can be reached at - djones@umc.edu
Rounds with the Master, Spiritual Pearls from the Great Physician Devotionals are released every Monday and Thursday.
Photo by Zbynek Burival on Unsplash
