If you are an amateur golfer like me, who celebrates when his score is under triple digits, then perhaps you are familiar with the term ‘mulligan’. In golf terms, a mulligan is a do-over. In friendly groups, you may be given a mulligan or two over the course of 18 holes. If you hit an errant shot at a crucial moment, just yell “mulligan!”, and that stroke won’t count against your score. You get a free attempt to hit the ball again.
Unlike your friends who may give you one freebie on the course, the Lord offers us the grace and mercy to take mulligans every day. We can (and will) miss the mark daily, but because of God’s infinite love and the resurrection power of Jesus, those poor choices and missed opportunities will not be counted against us.
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:23)
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:8-9)
Maybe you hit a bad shot on the first hole of the day, snapping at your spouse because you were late for work? Or you missed what looked like a sure putt from three feet, when your child asked for a moment of your attention and you were too busy to notice? Did that big presentation at work sail helplessly out of control like a slice out of bounds? Take the mulligan, choose mercy, accept the free gift of grace.
Have the courage, my friends, to tee-up and swing again. Because the Lord is cheering us on and has given us everything pertaining to life and godliness (2 Peter 1 v3). I hope that you keep swinging with irrational confidence, not shrinking back but knowing that His grace is sufficient for you!
