We don’t often get things right on the first try, do we? That’s why a second chance is always welcome. A fresh start is never an opportunity to pass up. We all need them every now and then to put us on new pathways that can lead to success. The question that remains is what we will do with that fresh start that’s different.
Today’s date, 5/17, always makes me think of 2 Corinthians 5:17:
Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life]. (AMP)
What a beautiful notion it is to be reborn—the past gone and only new things to come! Believing in Christ gives us this monumental chance to turn our backs on the old ways of doing things, to allow the Holy Spirit to teach us new ways that bring new life, a more abundant life than we can possibly imagine!
Today this is especially significant in my own life, as I had my first official personal training session at my local gym. With 19 weeks and counting until my 40th birthday, I’m taking my fresh start and running with it, literally and figuratively. I’ve had several “starts” over the years, most notably after the birth of each of my three children. This time is going to be different. For starters, no more babies will be coming out of this body! That ship has sailed. In addition, I’m working with a personal trainer and a dietician (both of which I’ve never partnered with before) to ensure that I will not only reach my wedding weight by my birthday but that I’ll also hit my overall goal weight in about nine months.
That being said, none of what I’m about to endure will be easy. I fully expect to wake up with extremely sore muscles for the next two days thanks to my trainer, Kile, who has taken on the ever daunting task of coaching me. But as my pastor once said regarding us becoming full-time missionaries, “If it were easy, everyone would do it.”
This afternoon I read the story of “The Hungry Caterpillar” to my two-year-old son. The caterpillar is born with a hunger that is not easily assuaged, so he eats through an enormous number of foods until finally he is left with a stomachache. Then finally, he builds himself a “house,” where he remains for two weeks and comes out a beautiful butterfly.
I wish I could just lie around for two weeks and suddenly arrive at my goal weight. Alas, I believe my journey will look more like the “stomachache” part of the caterpillar’s tale. I certainly have enough hunger to see me rise to the occasion. The transition is bound to be a hard one but assuredly one that’s worthwhile, not just for my own health but for the benefit of my family as well. Besides, second chances don’t just come around every corner, so when one comes along, you can bet I’m going to take it.
The Art of Choosing True Life 