On Second Thought

I was at the store attempting to exchange a Christmas item the other day.  It was a rather high-priced item and we simply wanted to return it in exchange for full store credit.

But we didn’t have the receipt on us at the time.

When we explained the situation to the clerk she checked her price scanner and told us that we could indeed have full store credit, and encouraged us to begin looking for our replacement items.  Even directing us to sale racks which offered an addition 30% off.

Pleasantly relieved by the store’s generosity and grace without having our receipt, and comforted by the fact that we wouldn’t have to make the trek back to this out-of-town store, we began looking around to see what we wanted.

It was then the store employee returned to us saying that on second thought she had made a mistake, and the shirt was not discounted by $40, and that because we had no receipt we would have to take the loss and now have a significantly lower amount to spend on replacement items.

We explained to her that we would need to obtain the receipt and get back to the store at a later time. 

Understandable.  But not what we were originally told.

And I thought about that when I read Psalm 119:60.  Here the Psalmist says, “I will hurry without delay, to obey Your commands.”

The teaching here is in regard to the action of conversion, and behaving with no delay in obedience.  He doesn’t seek to avoid the duty associated with a new life in Christ.  He doesn’t pause to pray about it, ponder over it, read books concerning it, or reflect too long about it.

Second thought mentality.

And “second thought” mentality is dangerous.  When we overthink a situation too long that God requires immediate obedience in, it can be debilitating and disruptive to our spiritual growth.

Because how many times have I said it, “On second thought I don’t want to do it.”  “On second thought I just don’t have the time.”  “On second thought I just don’t feel like it.”

And the reality is if we wait too long, obedience may never come.  In fact it will likely never come if we wait to for the “feeling” to do it.

Second thoughts make you question your beliefs.
Second thoughts keep you tied to the world instead of being devoted to God.
Second thoughts crucify Jesus, when first thoughts would have better crucified self.

Don’t spend too much time “second thinking”  your action steps in obedience to God.

Forgive… now.
Offer grace and mercy… now.
Apologize… now.
Give generously… now.
Be kind… now.

It all matters.