Watching the Olympics brings to mind the phrase “one shot”: to ‘achieve in a single attempt.’ These athletes have trained a lifetime for their one shot at the gold. Likewise, our race on earth is our preparation for eternity (Heb. 12:1-3; 1 Cor 9:24-27): our training for reigning (1 Tim. 4:8; 2 Tim. 2:12).
Revivalist Leonard Ravenhill said 'you can’t catch up on your prayer life when you get to the judgment seat of Christ.' And that applies to everything! We have one shot in this life, although our one-shot is a lifetime of choices. And though we may 'miss the mark' many times, we must never stop trying to “give it our best shot.”
The 18th century evangelist George Whitefield said every time he preached, he did so as if it were his last. At my age, I think about that more often—each conversation, interaction, act of kindness (or rudeness), or each blog post might be my last. Whatever your age, it is no less relevant. “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. And may the Lord show us his approval and make our 'one shot' successful.” (Ps 90:12, 16).
Everyone (in the U.S.) will turn back their clocks one hour today. And I am afraid that some (or many) will wish they could turn back yesterday, or last year. They wish they could go back and turn back a decision that set them back.
But such is backward thinking. Your past is not fatal; your mistakes are not final; and your failures are not the end. God’s deposit in you is non-refundable, and His call is irrevocable. He does not change His mind, and He does not second-guess His decision. Jesus said no one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom (Luke 9:62). And our Father in heaven refuses to bring back to His mind any of your past sins, declaring emphatically, "I will never think of them again.” (Is. 43:25)
God will never turn His back on you. So as you turn your clock back today, it's a good time to stop looking back, and start coming back to the new thing awaiting you. He who sits on the throne says, "Behold, I am making all things new." (Rev. 2:15)
James said “We all make many mistakes” (3:2). Al Franken said “Mistakes are a part of being human. Appreciate your mistakes for what they are: precious life lessons that can only be learned the hard way, unless it's a fatal mistake, which, at least, others can learn from.”
When I reflected on Al Franken’s words, it dawned on me that the phrase “fatal mistake” is a spiritual paradox. Hurtful mistakes are a catalyst for radical change: “I’ll never do that again,” we say. In a real sense then, mistakes should be fatal errors—painful actions that result in the death of bad behavior or attitude.
Jesus also affirmed the value of mistakes when He said to Peter (who was about to make the biggest mistake of his life), “I have pleaded in prayer for you that your faith should not fail; so when you have repented and turned to me again [you will be able to] strengthen your brothers" (Luke 22:32 edited). Peter's mistake made him aware of his horrible pride, and only afterward, was he fully useful to Jesus ("Feed My sheep"). A fatal mistake is one that kills you—“putting to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you” (Colossians 3:5).
I am so glad to know that God can take someone like me who has made many mistakes and still accomplish His perfect plan for my life. I thought I had failed so many times, it would be impossible. But I have learned that God is not hindered by my failure. Look at Abraham’s life. It was full of serious mistakes that had huge consequences; yet he is called the father of our faith (Gal. 4:12).
God told Abraham to leave his home and his family. But he took along his ailing father and nephew Lot. As a result, he was delayed in Heran until his father died. Later, his relationship with Lot became a source of serious conflict. Abraham also erred by going down to Egypt during the famine (he was afraid). It was from there, he brought back Sarah’s handmaid Hagar; and without Hagar there never would have been an Ishmael, who is the father of the Arabs, the archenemies of Israel to this day.
Our mistakes do have consequences. But however horrible you may think your mistakes are, you can begin again with God. No matter how many times you have tried and failed, you can still experience new life (Ro. 6:4). And God can still accomplish His plans for and through you. Zac Poonen says “even if you have made a thousand new beginnings in the past and have come to failure, you can still make the 1001st new beginning today.”
By way of my mistakes, I have learned an important principle: my failures (like Adam’s failure in the Garden) are the beginning of a new work of God’s grace for me—they precede God’s greater opportunities. Has your past failure made you afraid to start again? Faith says “God is greater than your mistakes!” Look at Abraham! He is the revered 'father' of the Jews, the Christians, and the Muslims.
“Many people are so concerned with adding days to their life that they forget to add life to their days.” (Anonymous quote)
As a counselor, I have observed that most people think more about the past and the future than the present, so that the Holy Spirit’s voice cannot be heard over the internal din of regret and worry.
Holy Spirit says “Today if you hear [My] voice, do not harden your heart…” (Psalm 95:7; Hebrews 3:7, 13, 15; 4:7), exhorting us to pay attention to what He wants to tell us TODAY lest we become dull in our hearing Him.
The devil has two strategies to keep you from your TODAY experience of hearing the Lord. He tries to get your thoughts focused on your yesterdays’ mistakes, and if that should fail, he will try to fill your head with anxious thoughts about the future.
Paul says “forget what lies behind.” Jesus says, “Do not be anxious for tomorrow.”
The Holy Spirit is calling us to live the divine principle called TODAY. Do not let your mind be occupied with the useless regrets of yesterday and the future things over which you have no control. They will undoubtedly keep you from hearing Him TODAY.
