Second Chances

I think we all know the story about Michael Vick, NFL quarterback who spent 2 years in prison because of running a dog fighting ring. This was in the headlines for weeks. Well, Mr. Vick spent the past few months trying to sign a deal with an NFL team as a quarterback. This has been a very contraversial issue with NFL fans. I wasn't sure how I was feeling about it all. I had a quick discussion with John Michael about it and neither of us could understand why any team would accept him. We found out this week that the Eagles signed a 2 year contract with Michael Vick!! Of all teams ... my favorite team, the Philadelphia Eagles! Why would they do that??

It's so easy to be quick to judge and question someone's ability to make a good decision. Our immediate reaction is to say, "that's crazy! Not him!". It's been said that Mr. Vick doesn't deserve to play in the NFL again. So much criticism has gone his way.

With all that said, God has been speaking to me today about this situation. I woke up this morning thinking "It doesn't matter who you are, where you've been, or what you've done. It matters how you live." I believe that this is how God sees us and our lives when we are in right relationship with him. This is how He sees Michael Vick when he's in right relationship with him. There is rumor that he "found God" while in prison. If this is true, then that's awesome!

Why are we so quick to say that someone doesn't deserve a second chance when we ourselves have done things wrong and expect grace from others when we want a second chance? It's so much easier to see someone else's fault. Mr. Vick was into dog fighting. Other athletes have done drugs. Others have committed various crimes. We have done things that are not pleasing to God but may seem ok to the world. Who's right? Who's wrong?

God's word is pretty clear on what's right and wrong. Why do we smudge it to where it's not clear? We justify until we feel good about what we or others have done wrong.

Does God give us second chances? Absolutely. Do we give others second chances? Sometimes. It depends on whether we like the person or the act. Who are we to decide?

Do we want or deserve second chances? Look at it as a tangled fishing line. In some areas of our lives we can get so tangled in our sin that it will probably take time to untangle in order to get to a place that is pleasing to God. In most cases it will take time to work through it with God's help. Are we willing to let God help Michael Vick untangle his fishing line in the same way he helps us untangle our lines? I am!

So... does Mr Vick deserve a second chance? Absolutely! Do each of us deserve second chances? Absolutely!