It was New Year’s Day almost 100 years ago and it was the Rose Bowl Game with Georgia Tech playing against the University of California. During the first half of the game California’s Roy Riegles recovered a fumble and got turned around and ran the wrong way for 65 yards. One of his teammates ran after him and caught him just before he scored a safety for Georgia Tech. California couldn’t move the ball and had to punt near the goal line, and Georgia blocked it and scored the safety. When they went into the locker room for halftime, the California coach didn’t say a word. That’s not how halftimes work. Usually there is a great deal that is said. The timekeeper came in with a three-minute warning for starting the second half. Roy had been sitting in a corner with a blanket over his head. The simply said “The same team that started the first half will start the second half. The players all started out…except for Riegles. The coach came over to him, and the big football player’s cheeks were wet with tears. He said “Roy, didn’t you hear me? The same team that played the first half will start the second half.” Riegels said “Coach, I’ve ruined you I’ve ruined the University of California, I’ve ruined myself.” The coach put his hand on his shoulder and said “Roy, get up and go only back out; the game is only half over.” You’ve made mistakes and I’ve made mistakes. And people will remember them. But
God reminds us that life doesn’t have to end with a mistake. We can be forgiven and God wants us to forget was lies behind us, repent when we need to, ask for forgiveness and get back into the game. The God of the Bible is the God of the second chance…as well as the third and fourth and even more. No matter where you have been, what you have done or how many people have seen you mess up…your game is not over. God is not through with you. God has not given up on you. Don’t you give up on God. Get back out there and get in the game of life again. You don’t have any idea what good God has for you still. Here’s our Bible verse for today…
Proverbs 24:16 NLT The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.
Remember I'm praying for you,
PJ
God reminds us that life doesn’t have to end with a mistake. We can be forgiven and God wants us to forget was lies behind us, repent when we need to, ask for forgiveness and get back into the game. The God of the Bible is the God of the second chance…as well as the third and fourth and even more. No matter where you have been, what you have done or how many people have seen you mess up…your game is not over. God is not through with you. God has not given up on you. Don’t you give up on God. Get back out there and get in the game of life again. You don’t have any idea what good God has for you still. Here’s our Bible verse for today…
Proverbs 24:16 NLT The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.
Remember I'm praying for you,
PJ