I look across the parking lot of the new property that our
church has just purchased. It will one
day be the campus of The Community Fellowship and the outreach ministries we
are part of. I am touched by the slight
changes made in the last week by the few people who have already volunteered
their time to cut grass, clean up and more.
The sky is incredible.
There are glimpses of blue that have brilliant color. Then I notice finger looking clouds that are
rolling into the area very fast. Inside
the clouds to the farthest west there is a red haze. It grabbed my attention and help it for what
seemed like several minutes. That is
until the lightening began. The rain
began and covered the area faster than I could get in my vehicle.
It had already been a very long day (this was Thursday or
yesterday). As I drove home there was a
thought that grabbed my attention and wouldn’t let go. This new building of ours stands in difficult
place. A day about 7 years ago the
business that thrived on these 22 acres experienced it’s greatest year of
business. Just 2 years after bankruptcy
closed the doors, and the business was gone forever. The building was vacant. In the last 5 years decay, damage and
vandalism have wrecked the building.
The thought that grabbed my attention and wouldn’t let go was
about second chances. I love to offer
people second chances, but this building and campus is about to be given a
second chance. That is a second chance
to thrive and to help others find success.
Our church has impacted thousands of lives over the last 6 plus years,
and this new campus is opening doors to help us impact more people with the
love of God in greater and farther reaching ways.
People need second chances.
People need the grace of God to become real in their lives. That is the place that Jesus offered people
and continues to offer people who follow Him.
Ephesians 5:2 NLT
Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered
himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
By offering people second chances we offer them what God has
offered us. We have been given second
chances, and we ought to offer them to others.
By the way, second chances are not offered based upon what someone
deserves. They are based on the
unconditional love of God. Don’t forget
that God loves people. Life is not about
what we accumulate or what we own. Life
is about the relationships that grow in around our lives. Our connection to God is the most important
relationship. Our connection to others
allows us to go deeper with God and to others grow in God.
Our lives are an aroma of God as we follow Jesus and allow
Him to live through us. I pray that you
and I will do what this verse says.
Filled with love. Following
Jesus’ example. Grateful for His
sacrifice and a aroma pleasing to God and leading others to meet God.
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