Golfers are familiar with the term ‘Mulligan.’ It refers to a shot that is replayed when the original shot was not so good. Though mulligans are not approved for serious golf, such as tournaments and outings, they are quite common among friendly play. I’ve been known to take a mulligan or two from time to time on the golf course.
Last night (Dec 7) I preached a sermon on Simeon’s prayer that I would like to have a mulligan for. The sermon was long on illustration and short on substance. If fact, when LuJean and I were talking about it later that night, we agreed that the children’s message about God keeping his promises had more meaning to it than the sermon.
No doubt there are times when each of us would enjoy having a mulligan in life. There are those moments that we would like to have back. There are those moments when a ‘do over’ would be beneficial.
The good news is that God does something wonderful for us through the cross of Christ: God forgives those regrettable moments.
And sometimes God even gives us a chance for a ‘do over’ in life.
I may re-preach last night’s sermon on a future occasion. There are a number of things I would like to say about God’s love for us in Jesus Christ that didn’t get said. There are a number of points I would like to make about the life of Jesus that Simeon held in his arms – points that didn’t get made. But, whether or not I ever re-preach last night’s sermon, I know that I will preach again. And I will learn from last night and strive to do better next time.
Such is the blessing of forgiveness in Christ - the past is erased as though it never happened!
Last night (Dec 7) I preached a sermon on Simeon’s prayer that I would like to have a mulligan for. The sermon was long on illustration and short on substance. If fact, when LuJean and I were talking about it later that night, we agreed that the children’s message about God keeping his promises had more meaning to it than the sermon.
No doubt there are times when each of us would enjoy having a mulligan in life. There are those moments that we would like to have back. There are those moments when a ‘do over’ would be beneficial.
The good news is that God does something wonderful for us through the cross of Christ: God forgives those regrettable moments.
And sometimes God even gives us a chance for a ‘do over’ in life.
I may re-preach last night’s sermon on a future occasion. There are a number of things I would like to say about God’s love for us in Jesus Christ that didn’t get said. There are a number of points I would like to make about the life of Jesus that Simeon held in his arms – points that didn’t get made. But, whether or not I ever re-preach last night’s sermon, I know that I will preach again. And I will learn from last night and strive to do better next time.
Such is the blessing of forgiveness in Christ - the past is erased as though it never happened!
Such is the blessing of a mulligan – it is an opportunity to do better with the next shot!
Please join me in prayer: Gracious Father, thank you for forgiving the wrong in our lives and for the opportunity to improve upon the past. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Please join me in prayer: Gracious Father, thank you for forgiving the wrong in our lives and for the opportunity to improve upon the past. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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