Starting from Scratch – Taking Advantage of the Mulligan!

Jesse posted a great article on running that made me think about starting over (I added it to my links). Since I am having to re-learn running, does it make sense to go back to the same bad habits I had before?  Maybe I should start over with a completely new mind set…”forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead

When I start out on a new journey do I embrace the “newness” of the adventure or do I go into it with expectations grounded in my own previous experiences.  “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lam 3:18)  How cool is it that I get to take a mulligan everyday and get to take another shot at it.  So if this is such a great opportunity, why don’t I start over with new expectations for success; not based in my past failures, but reaching higher and armed with every new resource I can muster.

I read the posts…most of us hate Mondays.  But isn’t Monday supposed to be that fresh start? A new day, a new week, full of expectancy, hope, and new opportunities?  We head into that day with old expectations.  We attack it knowing with the same outlook, attitude and resources that we did last week.

How about we take the mulligan? Find a new way, be innovative, upgrade those expectations and make it a great adventure.

Have you been given a big mulligan in your life?  Have you taken advantage of it? Nicodemus didn’t understand this concept.  Jesus explained that the second birth is not the same as the first one.

“Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.2 This man came to Jesust by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.”3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born againt he cannot see the kingdom of God.”4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.t 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘Youtmust be born again.’8 The windt blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (John 3:1-8)

If you have been born again, are you taking advantage of all of the resources available the second time?  Take advantage of your new opportunity. I think I will.

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