June 10, 2014 Starting Over by Charles R. Swindoll 1 Peter 4:7–11 Instant replays have become old hat. We now expect them in all televised sports. Whether its a tennis pros impressive backhand or an NBA centers slam dunk or a heavyweight boxers smashing jab, we never have to worry about missing it the first time around. Itll be back again and again and, probably, again. It has occurred to me that Id enjoy (for lack of a better title) delayed replays of some of the more significant times in my life. But these would be different from fixed frames on film. In delayed replays, Im fantasizing the possibility of going back and being given another chance to relive a particular experience that could have been handled differently. More wisely. With greater tact. In better taste. You know—all those if-I-had-that-to-do-over-again thoughts. What a second chance that would be! Just think of all the things wed refrain from saying that we blurted out the first time around. And consider the different attitudes we would have toward unexpected interruptions, unplanned babies, unrealistic expectations, unimportant details. I really think we would take a lot more things a lot less seriously, dont you? Fun times form great memories . . . so lets hear it for fewer frowns and more smiles. Laughter lingers. It soaks into the walls of a home, coming back to encourage us many years later. Yes, if we had the benefit of delayed replays, we would gain a lot of perspective on life we often miss the first time around. But unfortunately, second times around dont happen. We cannot re-rear our children. I cannot re-pastor my first church. Initial impressions cannot be remade. Cutting remarks cannot be re-said. Scars cant be completely removed. Tear stains on the delicate fabric of our emotions are, more often than not, permanent. Memories are fixed, not flexible. You mean God wont forgive? You know better than that. And people cant overlook my failures? Come on, now. Thats not the issue at all. Most people I know are amazingly understanding. Our biggest task is forgiving ourselves. The main message is clear: think before you speak. Pause before you act. Another chance? No chance. Its absolutely impossible to go back and start over. Today is tomorrows yesterday . . . and delayed replays will never occur. Today is memory in the making, a deposit in the bank of time. Lets make it a good one! In the now-or-later battle for priorities, its clear where the secret lies. Lets take care of the biggies now—today. Its amazing how the incidentals will fade away when we focus fully on the essentials. And thats impossible unless we put the important ahead of the urgent. The incidentals will fade away when we focus fully on the essentials. ~ Chuck Swindoll
Posted on: Tue, 10 Jun 2014 12:20:52 +0000
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