Second chances in life are of great value because they tend to be rare. Second chances are needed as a result of some failure. Sometimes, the failure is so pronounced that no one is willing to give you another opportunity, or you don't even want to try again.
To receive a second chance, someone has to have faith in
your ability to succeed this time. Usually, they are taking a personal risk by
giving you this opportunity. If you didn’t seek the second chance, the person giving
it to you has more faith in you than you do in yourself. Regardless, anyone
granting you a second chance deserves your deep gratitude for believing in you.
My Second Chance
From 1997 to 2002, I performed Christian stand-up comedy
locally in addition to my day job. I didn’t consider myself a successful
comedian, and I “retired” in 2002 when my bookings dried up. For the next 22
years, I thought of myself as a failure. Such a failure, that I never had a
desire to perform Christian comedy ever again.
In August 2022, I began performing regular stand-up comedy
as a way to sell my humor books. I wasn’t really committed to this because I
was too busy writing my next book, so it didn’t go well. By mid-2024, I had not
been on stage in over six months, and I doubted I would ever perform comedy
again.
It has been said that “God is the God of second chances.” In
May 2024, it was apparent to me, as well as some of my close confidants, that
God was calling me back to the Christian comedy stage. I still had no desire to
do this, but God can be rather persuasive. In late September, I became a
Christian comedian once again. I now have a second chance.
But What About That First Failure?
I was confused as to why God would call me back after 22
years to something I had failed at before. But my failure was not all that it
seemed. After I stopped performing, I learned that 2002 was a brutal year for
performers because people stayed home much more after the events of 9-11. So,
the failure wasn't so much based on my talent as it was the circumstances.
To prepare for my resurgence, I had to listen to my
performances from 22 years ago. I was supposed to be listening to the content
of my old material. Still, all I could hear was the audience laughing loudly
and enjoying themselves. I had to stop the recordings several times and sob.
For 22 years, I thought I was a bad comic, but I wasn’t. I don’t know how good
I was, but I know I was good enough that God has now put me back in the game.
So, my failure wasn’t as much based on my ability as much
as not being patient enough to stick it out. Sometimes in life, circumstances
are the main reason you fail, and there is no way to change that.
The Faith Part
I never once asked for or sought this second chance. Therefore, I do not believe I have been given a second chance – but have been gifted a second chance. It is a gift, and I don’t deserve it. And Someone evidently has enough faith in me to gift me this second chance. Yes, God has more faith in me than I have in myself. Oooh, now here is the profound part. God has more faith in you than you do in yourself. Again, let that sink in: God has more faith in you than you do in yourself. For emphasis, GOD HAS MORE FAITH IN YOU THAN YOU DO IN YOURSELF – no matter how many times you have failed.
My Response
Yes, it is great to get a second chance, but you still have
to take advantage of the opportunity. You must put tremendous effort into it
because the effort you exerted the first time did not result in a successful
outcome. Even though I never expected to receive this opportunity, I am fully
committed to it. Second chances are of great value because they are so rare.
And gifts from God are even rarer.
