"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." -1 John 1:9 NKJV

After a spectacular pass to Malik Turner on 3rd and 16 with over 8 minutes left in overtime vs. the San Francisco 49ers during the 2019 season, Seattle Seahawks QB Russell Wilson threw an unusual interception with 5:46 left in the period. The 49ers had possession of the football and were stopped in field goal range. Then, Chase McLaughlin, kicker for the 49ers who made his first three kicks, had an opportunity to be the hero and win the game, but from 47 yards with 3:06 left, he missed the kick. This gave Wilson another opportunity to lead the Seahawks down the field for a potential game-winning drive. On 3rd and 3 with over a minute left in the game, Wilson made a big time play with a 21-yard run. The Seahawks allowed time to go down and clocked it (stopped the clock by spiking the ball to the ground). With 4 seconds remaining, their kicker, Jason Myers hit the game winning kick to win the game for Seattle. The final score was 27-24, leading to the 49ers first loss in the 2019 season. 

Russell Wilson does a terrific job of remaining positive, resilient, and encouraging during the difficult and great moments of the game. He seems to have a peace about him and doesn’t get rattled if he or someone else on offense turns over the ball. He moves on to the next play and if an opportunity presents itself to get the ball back, most times he makes the clutch play to help his team win. During the Monday Night Football game his resolve showed. After he threw the interception earlier in the overtime period, he came back and made the plays necessary to put the Seahawks in position to make the game-winning field goal.

In this journey called life, we all make mistakes. Romans 6:23 says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” The question is how are we responding to the mistakes that we have made?

·       Do we overlook our sins and blame others for our sins as a result?

·       Do we avoid taking responsibility for the sins that we commit without repentance?

·       After sinning, do we walk in guilt and allow the enemy to make us think that our mistake defines us?

·       Or do we allow the Holy Spirit to help us recognize when we fall short, prompting us to ask God to forgive us with a repentant heart?

It is important for us to humble ourselves and make the latter our choice. We must recognize and acknowledge what we have done and soften our hearts to hear from God and repent of our sins.

God is a loving and forgiving God who gives us another chance. You don’t have to feel down and live in guilt for the mistakes you’ve made. God allowed His Son Jesus to die for us and our sins which enables us to believe in Jesus Christ and experience God’s grace. What is grace? Grace is God’s free and unmerited favor toward sinful humanity. God is so good! Do we deserve God’s grace? No. Should we take advantage of God’s grace by sinning purposely and then asking God for forgiveness because we know that He will forgive? No.

Always remember that God looks at our heart and knows the true intentions of our hearts. If we have the grace of God, we can live righteously for Him knowing that He is faithful to forgive us when we mess up. If you sin, allow God to touch your heart through the Holy Spirit (for those who are saved), acknowledge what you have done wrong, repent of your sins, and move forward living the life that God desires for you to live through His Word. God loves you and He allowed His son Jesus to die for you.

You are not your mistakes.