He always gives another chance

by Joel Osteen

Everyone has missed opportunities in life. We can all look back and think, "Why didn't I put more effort into that relationship? Why didn't I take that job?" Or, "Why did I spend all those years running with the wrong crowd, partying, when I should have been getting ahead?" Maybe you feel like you've really missed something, but be encouraged today because God always has another season. He always gives us another chance.

It reminds me of a movie I saw a while back, "The Preacher's Kid." It's a modern day spin on the story of the prodigal. I read that it comes out on DVD soon, and what I love about this movie is that it shows that we serve a God who always gives us another chance.

It doesn't matter how you were raised or what circumstances you find yourself in, God says in Joel 2:25, "I will restore the years that have been stolen." That means God can make up years of your life. He can turn back time. You may not be able to relive your childhood, but He can make the rest of your life so rewarding and so fulfilling that it makes up for anything you may have lost.

You may feel like you've wasted years in a relationship that didn't work out, or years on a job that turned out to be a dead end, but be encouraged today because God is a restorer. Take a step of faith and believe that for every opportunity you've missed, every chance you've blown, God will make up the difference. No matter how many mistakes you've made, He's standing there with open arms ready to receive you and restore you and set you on the good path He has prepared for you!