Give People a Chance

Sunday March 3, 2013                      Luke 13: 1-9

Ryland Wheliss

            I was given the parable of the fig tree. In this parable Jesus tells the people around him that every day a man comes to a fig tree and looks for fruit. One day he tells the gardener, “I have been coming here for three years and have gotten no fruit. You should cut it down. It is wasting space.” The gardener replies that, “Sir, let it alone for one more year. If it bears fruit, well and good, but if not you may cut it down” (Luke 13:9).  This parable shows that God always gives more chances. It shows that people sometimes need a little more to get to where they are going.

            One of these instances is every sports team I have been on. This year I was on the Championship Football team at my high school. One of my most memorable experiences is walking out on to that amazing field. Watching the crowd cheer as we jogged out on the turf is extremely exhilarating. But I would never have gotten there without the hard work of my teammates. One of my teammates is a perfect example of what Jesus is explaining in this parable. Last year he didn’t play at all. The boy wasn’t the strongest or toughest but he still practiced and helped out. Our coach told him if he wanted to play in games he needed to gain strength and endurance. He jumped on the opportunity and slowly but surely got bigger and stronger. It showed when we came out for tryouts the first day in August. He came out in full force, pushing and becoming an amazing player. This year he averaged two tackles a game and started on kick-off and kick-off returns. He was given another year and another chance and he took it. He is still one of the hardest workers on the team. This just goes to show that if you give people a chance they will grasp it and push forward.

Prayer: Dear Lord, please help men and women to seize the opportunities given to them and use them for the greater good of our community.

Daily Challenge: I challenge you to give someone another chance. When you just can’t take it anymore give that person one more chance. It may surprise you.