Rule No. 15: THE TRAIN DOESN’T STOP TWICE
Know when to move.
Take opportunities when they are given to you.
It’s been two weeks since my last blog post—and while I’d love to say life has been hectic, the truth is: it’s been still. Quiet. Refreshing, and in many ways rejuvenating.
And in the stillness, God reminded me: some trains only come once.
I’ve been sitting in the quiet between—giving thanks to God once again for this period and for what He’s been teaching me. I’m still facing the same storms, but I continue to trust that I’ll see the winds calm and the seas no longer rage.
The Return to Stage
(Not for Me, But for Him)
While waiting, I had the chance to be a part of my church’s Vacation Bible School (VBS, for short) last week. If you’re wondering what VBS is, I’ll explain.
A VBS Production
VBS is a summer program that lasts one week. It’s a time when kids come to learn about the Bible, faith, and who Jesus Christ truly is—in ways that are fun, interactive, and tailored to their age group.
It was incredible to see God move in the lives of young children, and even more powerful to witness some of those same children give their lives to Jesus Christ—acknowledging Him as the only way, the truth, and the life.
Personally, I found myself reconnecting with the core of who I am: being involved in church, and not just volunteering my time, but offering up my talents.
For five days, I was the game station manager, giving out carnival tickets and prizes. I was also part of the drama team—playing everything from a magistrate who set a trap for Daniel to land him in the lion’s den (how ironic), to portraying David—twice—one of Jesus’ disciples, and finally, the Prodigal Son.
If you’re unfamiliar with the parable of the Prodigal Son told by Jesus, or it’s been a long time since you’ve heard it, here’s an excerpt in the photo below taken from Luke 15:11–24.
Luke 15:11-24
Let me tell you, dear reader—I had such a blast.
And I couldn’t help but chuckle at how God has a sense of humor. I’ve spent months—really, years—defining myself as the prodigal son. The one who strayed and then found his way home.
I grew up in church, then walked away from God. I experienced what the world had to offer, only to find myself in the pig pen, with nothing but slop—until I decided to return home. I even have a poetry book titled Prodigal Son (coming soon). But to play that very character on the final day of VBS? That was a full-circle moment—one I’m deeply thankful for, even if it ended with my face covered in “pig slop” (whipped cream mixed with apples, blueberries, and bananas).
It was an opportunity I cherished—not because I was on stage again, but because this time I wasn’t there for my own glory.
I was there as a vessel, ready to be used by God.
I’ve won many performance-based awards in my life, but nothing compared to the sense of peace and fulfillment I felt last week.
I pray that I forever decrease so that He may increase and always receive the glory.
The Wisdom in Debbie’s Words
When I think of this rule, my mind instantly flashes back to sitting in the car with Debbie, driving up the East Coast, passing through village after village.
“Talent will take you where only character can keep you.”
That alone is a gem—worthy of its own rule—but what she said next is what stuck with me:
“Sometimes you only get one chance, one opportunity. And when it’s gone—if you didn’t seize it—it may take years to get back to it. But not every opportunity should be a ‘yes.’ Especially when the price of the opportunity is your soul.”
I internalized that the only way I knew how at the time. I was an athlete, so I applied it to games, to training, to how I approached school. I counted every moment and reminded myself constantly: “I always have to be thankful.”
That sound turned into hubris, into a puffed chest and a mantra:
“Stay ready so I never have to get ready.”
Then I moved to the U.S.—an opportunity that took three years to finally materialize and be ready for. Looking back now, I see that I needed those three years. If I had come earlier, I wouldn’t be where I am now.
I needed time to grow. Time to deepen my relationship with God.
Otherwise, I would’ve wasted that opportunity.
All that talent wouldn’t have been able to sustain anything, because the character wasn’t ready to carry it.
Even now, I’m still being shaped. Still being prepared for new opportunities.
From YOLO to Repentance
In this culture, we’re taught to seize every moment.
To live in every now.
To believe we only live once—and to do whatever it takes to live our “best lives.”
But many of those moments, if we’re honest, are rooted in things that draw us further from our purpose.
Temporary pleasures that carry long-term consequences.
Things that look like freedom, but chain us quietly.
And while we know life is short—and time, limited—we sometimes take for granted the daily opportunities we’re given to become better versions of ourselves. Especially when we have all our faculties intact.
I chuckle now, thinking about how I’d be yelling “YOLO!” at the top of my lungs while caught up in debauchery—gallivanting in the streets while Debbie was home, praying for my safe return.
But here’s the truth:
Every day you wake up with breath in your lungs is a new opportunity. An invitation to return to the arms of the One who truly cares for you.
“Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong.
Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.” — Isaiah 55:6–7 (NLT)
A Chance to Come Home
It’s more than climbing the corporate ladder. More than indulging in pleasures or proving your worth to people who’ll forget you in weeks.
I’ve had many vices—drugs, sex, ego. I thought myself a god, while knowing deep down I couldn’t deliver myself from anything.
“Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?” — Romans 2:4 (ESV)
Initially, I planned to write this rule as a message about knowing when to act—about seizing the right opportunity and letting go of the wrong ones. And yes, discernment matters.
But I can’t ignore what this rule really exposes in us:
Our posture.
Our positioning.
Our pride.
It’s not just about opportunities out there—it’s about the opportunity of salvation. The opportunity to surrender.
“From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’” — Matthew 4:17 (ESV)
I mentioned earlier my years as the prodigal son—but what I didn’t say is how many times I returned home… only to leave again. Only to end up right back in the pig pen. Eating slop. Remembering that God was still waiting on me to return. Not just to apologize. But to surrender. Fully.
This year, I finally did.
I gave up vices.
I said no to things that once brought me pleasure.
I said goodbye to people I once thought I couldn’t live without.
But I remembered the words of Jesus:
“What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and lose his soul in the process?” — paraphrased from Mark 8:36
I’ve had friends pass away—gone far too soon. And in my circles, the refrain is always the same:
“I pray they had the chance to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.”
The truth is, we don’t know. Only God does.
But we do know this:
“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness,but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish,but that all should reach repentance.” — 2 Peter 3:9 (ESV)
And…
“But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” — 1 John 1:9 (NLT)
Final Boarding Call
We all have a set time on this earth. None of us knows the day or the hour—not of our death, nor of Christ’s return.
And the same Jesus we call “Savior” is also the One who will say:
“Depart from Me. I never knew you.” — Matthew 7:23
So I’ll end with this:
Why not take the opportunity to follow Him now?
And if you already are—ask yourself:
Are you following the real Jesus, or a version of Him you’ve molded to fit your lifestyle?
Because the truth is:
Grace doesn’t always come with a second stop.
We pray for mercy. We bank on forgiveness.
But sometimes… the train doesn’t stop twice.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” — John 3:16 (NIV)
I pray we never take our opportunities for granted. This—this is what free will looks like.
So choose wisely.
