A God of Second Chances

Operknockative the Piano Tuner

There once was a woman who was a noted pianist. She was going to give a recital in her parlor to some very distinguished guest from the city. She wanted everything to be perfect: the finest of china and crystel, beautiful silk table clothes, the tastist of orderves. And a piano perfectly tuned.

She contacted the music store asking for the best piano tuner she could get. The owner said, “Well, that would be Operknockative, the Piano Tuner. He is very expensive.” She didn’t care, so the owner said he would contact him.

The next morning, the day of the recital, Operknockative called. “You have to come over right away! My recital is this evening at 5:00 and everything has to be perfect!” “I will be right over, “he said.

Operknockative was a very escentric fellow. He didn’t use tuning forks, or special insturments to tune a piano. He used his keen sense of music. That made the lady a bit nervous, but she put her trust in him. He found middle C on the piano and tuned it by ear, and then began a miticulas process of tuning each key to the rest.

It was a long process, and by 4:30 had only eight keys left to tune. But the lady became impatient. She said she wouldn’t be using those last eight keys anyway and he must leave. She paid him and he thanked her and left.

The recital would have been a great success. The food was perfect, the guest were thrilled. But the lady had forgotten one piece she would play did in fact use some of those last eight un-tuned keys. The sound was horrible!

The next morning she contacted Operknockative and said, “You really must come back and finish tuning my piano.” But Operknockative replied, “I’m sorry mam, but Operknockative only tunes once.”

A God of Opportunities

The reason I like that joke, or story, if you didn’t think it was funny, is because unlike Operknockative, our God is a God of countless opportunities.

God has often been referred to as a God of second chances. Although I believe that is true, I think we must be careful how we teach that truth.

The Apostle Peter wrote, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (, NIV84) God never stops forgiving us when we sin for God is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.

But we need to be careful that we don’t allow people to think that eternal life is a gift that is given to those who finely get it right after many, many chances. If you submit your life to Christ, not only is your sins covered by his blood, but his righteousness is imputed to you.

Paul put it this way, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (, NIV84)

God is a God of many opportunities, that is true. And the greatest opportunity he offers each and every one of us is the opportunity to stand before him in Christ’s righteousness.