God Isn't Simply a God of Second Chances
And the clouds prove it.
This summer my husband, Scott, and I have taken a profound interest in clouds. We’ve had the most stunning skies recently. Beautiful puffy, fluffy, billowy, white clouds or cottony swishes splashed across the sky that reflect brilliant sunbeams. And at dusk, the colors are magnificent. Magentas and yellows and pinks and blues. Breathtaking. Almost every evening, Scott and I walk outside, point to the sky, and ooh and aah. Like five-year-olds, we identify flying dragons and Irish Setters wearing party hats.
If this summer’s cloud offerings have reminded me of anything, it’s that the clouds are new every day. (I know. Brilliantly profound, isn’t it?) New shapes and colors for me to enjoy and appreciate (even the gray, dull ones). Don’t like today’s clouds? No biggie. Tomorrow will offer a plethora of new choices. No need even to wait for tomorrow. Just wait a few minutes and the sky will change.
But in the midst of the change is a permanence. Every morning, the sun comes up. Every night, the moon shines. Every day, a smattering of clouds cover the sky. It’s routine. It’s certain.
Apparently, in the midst of great creativity, God loves routine. Just like when I was five and my father would twirl me round and round, and dizzily, I’d exclaim, “Do it again!” God loves to “do it again!” and again and again.
Looking at clouds, it hits me: God isn’t a God of second chances. Woe to us if he were. He’s a God of infinite chances. Just like those clouds, God’s grace toward us is new every day, every minute. Different amounts and shapes and colors, to be sure. But always there, renewing and routine. Something we can count on.
So if I screw up and say something rude to my husband (not that that ever happens), and I loathe myself for doing it but then turn right around and do it again the next day and the next, God is there to forgive me and help me to grow stronger and more mature. The next day, and the next day, and the next. Maybe that’s why we’re here for a lifetime—because it takes that much creative routine for us to be transformed into the image of Jesus.
I don’t know about you, but too many times in my life I’ve beaten myself up over some mean or stupid thing I’ve done. And I’ve wondered, How much grace does God really have for me? At what point is he going to draw the line and say, “Nope. No more for Ginger. She hasn’t learned the lesson the past 5.3 million times, so I’m finished forgiving her”?
But then I look up at the clouds and gain a renewed sense of hope. Because even as the clouds are “doing it again!” so our God says to us, Let me do it again. Here’s my mercy and grace and forgiveness for you again. And again and again.
Within a matter of minutes last night, I watched my flying dragon change into an oversized squawking goose and the setter’s hat morph into a pink cotton-candy-colored Elvis wig. I smiled, filled with awe at God’s abundant creativity. But mostly I smiled at the routine of it all.
The Old Testament writer in Lamentations puts it this way: “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (3:21-23, NRSV).
I’m not sure I’ll ever look at clouds the same way as I did before my revelation. Because they point to a God who loves routine, whose faithfulness is as certain to us as the sky, and most of all, who is a God of infinite chances.
Posted at 4:28 PM on August 25, 2008.
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What a beautiful post! A God of infiinte chances -- wow!
Posted by: Cheryl on August 25, 2008
What a great comparison. I love it! And I too will never look at clouds the same.
Thank you Lord for your mercies that never end and for allowing us to discover more and more about You every day.
Posted by: Shane on August 26, 2008
That is so profound I had almost forgotten the wonderful grace of God. His unceasing mercy. I was in that state of beating my self feeling inadequate to be a Christian etc. Am really encouraged. God bless you.
Posted by: Juliet M. K on August 26, 2008
AMEN!
Posted by: ese on August 26, 2008
Too often we allow the guilt and burdens of our past mistakes to dwell in us, therefore hindering our future. (...one of satans tricks) But God is not only infinitely forgiving, he casts our sins into the sea and never looks back - nor should we. Thanks for this post, it blessed me.
Posted by: Soteria on August 27, 2008
How lovely to come across this site- wonderful encouraging words
Posted by: Mary on August 27, 2008
Good blog, thanks for sharing it. We do need to keep encouraging one another. There are many who give up after falling. There's hope for everyone! Y
Posted by: Yinka on August 28, 2008
I too have been enjoying the clouds this year - God's love transforms us each minute, like the clouds. His reshaping us teaches us too that even like when storm clouds apppear there is usually a time of beauty the next day, just like when God's calmness comes over us after a stormy event.
Posted by: Grace on August 28, 2008
This is indeed a revelation for the renewal of our faith. Thanks
Posted by: Vicky Assif on August 29, 2008
I so needed to hear this. This very afternoon, I again did something that is so unacceptable in God's eyes, particularly for a child of His, when I did it, I knew it was wrong just like the other times, and yet I did it again..immediately after feeling such anger and despair at my inability to stop...and questioning how God would possibly not be giving up on me or that maybe it means I'm not really his child...these are things that make me question whether I am saved, because I've been in this repeat pattern for so many years...and yet I know life is nothing without Christ. I'm so confused. Reading this blog was like Christ was speaking directly to me that He will forgive infinitely. Thanks.
Posted by: brinnndy on August 29, 2008
I had been meditating on the scripture in 1 John 3:3 (amplified) about how we are pure (chaste, undefiled, guiltless) when we have the hope that when he comes we will be like Him. How many of us really see ourselves as "chaste, undefiled and guiltless"?
That message fit right in!
Posted by: Joan on August 29, 2008
I was just beating myself up yesterday over a mistake I am making. I felt awful...that He would turn His back on me for my problem. This article helped remind me that He will still love me, in spite of my shortcomings, and I have faith He will help me overcome this issue.
Thank you for this article!
Posted by: Melissa on August 29, 2008
I liked the article. One day I was looking at the clouds. I was amazed at how they moved. Once it was cloudy and windy. It looked like God was pushing the clouds with his hands. I liked watching the clouds move. Thank You
Posted by: Janet on August 29, 2008
It is amazing to know God and to dwell in his courts of praise. As I was reading this I just started praising and thanking God for who he is in our lives and for what he has done for that we do not deserve. He is an amazing God and this article further confirms that
Posted by: patriciah on August 30, 2008
I love your analogy!
I have loved watching the clouds for a LONG time! My kids just gave me a canvas and acrylics for my birthday so that I could capture some of the awesome clouds that I'm always pointing out to them!
Posted by: L Morgan on August 30, 2008
As a child I loved to watch the clouds change shape, inland where we lived in South Africa. Now as octingenarians my husband and I have retired to the beautiful Western Cape Coast of South Africa and have become almost lyrical about the changing beauty of the clouds from the far horison of the sea to the majestic mountains inland. So could identify with you in a very real way. Our God is an awesome God.
Look for me around the throne...much love D.
Posted by: Doris on August 30, 2008
Really inspiring! So simple & yet so very true. Thanks for this piece, and the much needed reminder that God never gives up on us.
This article has also made me realise I need to take a break from my busy routine and literaly look up to the skies and see the clouds and all the wonders of creation which point us to the creator.
God bless all!
Posted by: Osa on August 30, 2008
What a blessing to know that God is just so faithful to us even know we don't deserve it but because he loves us so much. It reminds me of the song Oh How I Love Jesus Beacause he First Loved me! How happy I am that he will never forget me .....What a blessing to serve such a AWESOME God. All the time he is Good and he is Godd all the time...........I could write forever.......
Posted by: Susan on August 30, 2008
Thanks for the encouraging truths you shared in this meditation on clouds. I, too, have always loved watching the skies.
Thought you might be interested to know that an international Cloud Appreciation Society exists, and it's easy to join! I did, and my desire to praise the Creator of all things has grown ever deeper as I started seeing and learning more about all the clouds.
www.CloudAppreciationSociety.org
Blessings in Him, K.
Posted by: Kathy on September 1, 2008
i have been so bleesed by this article! thanks Ginger! i have looked at the beauty of the clouds and thought of how big a God we serve is! how wonderful the work of His hands! never seen it in the light you described it! so greatful we have such a merciful Father!
Posted by: nneka on September 1, 2008
What a beautiful message! My life has been in turmoil for a long time, so this blog came at just the right time. God is truly awesome!
Posted by: Marlene on September 1, 2008
What a wonderful God of infinite chances! When I came across this message, I felt within me that I am fully an unspotted man b'cause I just dicovered Jesus who can forgive and forgive and forgive... Seventy times seventy. Since God Himself can do that, who are we then? I thank God for his infinite mercies.
Posted by: Ajiji on September 2, 2008
Praise God for infinite chances! We mess up so much and I'm so thankful that he just keeps on forgiving us and loving us without telling us NO MORE chances! Amen.
Posted by: Candace on September 2, 2008
Thank God for this blog which came through today just when I needed the reassurance of the steadfast and eternal love of GOd inspite of repeated and specific sins time after time. Oh his love is so glorious and so enriching . I encourage us to rest and bask in this love
Posted by: Heather Grey on September 2, 2008
He's the Again God!
Posted by: toyin on September 3, 2008
I read this blog and the other comments along with it and I am so glad to see that I am not alone in the constant struggle that I have with forgiving myself and the past. It is difficult to remember that God has infinite love for us and will always forgive us when we turn to Him. May the Lord keep filling us with His peace and love and I pray for everyone who is in this same struggle. Please pray for me and thank you for this blog. God Bless.
Posted by: mriad3971 on September 4, 2008
My family makes fun of me because I love to look at clouds and sunsets every chance I get. Glad to know I am not so unusual in that respect.
Great analogy, too.
Posted by: Wendy on September 4, 2008
Thanks for reminding me of the Grace we have in God. Clouds are a wonderful metaphor for the abundant love of our God and his unlimited forgiveness. I've always watched the clouds and have passed cloud watching on to my children and I'm now teaching my great-grandchildren to look up and see the wonders of God. They love reporting to me what they observe: animals, flowers,
faces, etc.
Have a blessed day. Roz
Posted by: Rosalind on September 7, 2008
Thank you Ginger for this blog, it's a word is season!
Posted by: brayila on September 10, 2008
great article it reminds again the infinite mercy and care of of a loving god. many a times while i was also traversing on a path of guilt and shame i could again and again count on his stead fast mercy. he proved it ample times. thanks for the wonderful article
Posted by: graham on September 11, 2008
Thank you so much for your tremendous words of encouragement. Simple but profound, they once again reminded me of God's continous grace and love.
Posted by: Renee' on September 12, 2008
Thank you. I go outside most nights and spend time with my God and my dog! I search the sky every night to see what God has to show me. I have seen - falling stars, rising moons and twisting shadows - but my appreciation has sky rocketed as I ponder your final words regarding our God: routine, faithfulness and infinite chances. Wow!
Posted by: Sherilyn on September 14, 2008
Wow! What an awesome encouraging truth of who God is! Truly we can not minimize God's grace! Thanks Ginger! I love you Lord!
Posted by: hernie on September 16, 2008
For as long as I can remember, I have been so fascinated by clouds. I always felt a sense of God's presence. Especially the day after a rain storm, I look forward to the morning's clouds because I know I will be able to see God through the sun rays of the clouds. It is so amazing. And to read your revelation, puts a perspective on maybe why I am always in awe when I sit there, staring up at the wonderous and beautiful sky full of clouds!
Posted by: Andrea on September 25, 2008
Loved the article! God Bless You! I would lay on my back as a child & just watch the clouds go by. It always used to remind me of what a BIG God we really serve! It's so wonderful to think that nothing is too big for Him. And I LOVE that His mercies are always new for us! Thank you, Jesus for your love,goodness & grace!
Posted by: Heidi on October 11, 2008
How beautifully written.
Appreciating God's creation is truly one of the best ways to worship our Creator.
God bless
Posted by: Shan on October 23, 2008
Dragons have been seen a lot. Could be representing the warfare we are facing now. Saints, pray for us now more than ever. Time is fleeting as well as happiness only the joy of the Lord is our strength. Watch for the things of Christ in the clouds as well. What an amazing God we have to love and love us as much as He does. Thank you sweet Jesus for your forever blood that washes away our sin. It was a sweet smelling sacrifice pleasing to the Father who say's "It is finished." Keep your lamps full saints and watch for Jesus's return in the clouds. Blessings.
Posted by: lora on October 31, 2008