Lisa Notes: A second chance

I listen to Brian “Head” Welch tell about the performer's high. About how he didn't know how to stay sober. About how he sunk to the lowest gutter as lead guitarist of the band Korn.

A bad performance

While I can’t relate to those specifics, I can relate to what happened next: the need for another chance when things go bad.

Sometimes the bad thing is clearly followed by a second chance. Two Tuesdays ago I was at the “Lighting of the Green” concert at Lipscomb University, headed by singer Amy Grant.

And something went wrong.

Amy had just introduced a brand new group, a trio of men performing on stage for the very first time. I’m sure they had the performer's high, about to sing to a large audience, including the presence of large talent already covered in fame.

But the audio messed up. In and out. Loud then silent. We could see mouths moving, but only occasionally hear voices.

The group sang anyway. The audience politely clapped anyway. But this first performance would go down as a disaster.

Another chance

Until Amy Grant stepped in. She stalled for time as technicians switched out microphones and played with wires.

Then Amy asked the trio to repeat their performance.

A second chance.

This time, as they sang again with gusto, we could hear and enjoy every rehearsed note. The wrong had been righted. The second chance led to a roar of approval as they sang the last notes.

Me, too?

When things have gone wrong in my journey—either through my own sinful decisions or just life happening—I want a second chance, too. Someone to step in, rearrange the wires, and give me a clean start.

I don’t want to feel defeated when I flub up my first shot.

I don’t want my acceptance to be conditional on a perfect performance. Because I can never give one. Neither could the trio of guys at Lipscomb. Neither could singer Brian Welch (more of his story here).

So how do we find hope? Jesus Christ. He stepped in for us two thousand years ago. He continues to step in today.

Because he did give the perfect performance, he can hand out a second chance to the rest of us. And a third. And a four millionth chance, however many we need.

I’ll take the second chance. And praise him for it. Because he got it right the first time, I don’t have to.

I’m glad he’s first. And I am second.