As long as our heart's beating, there's a chance for us, or

In the tapestry of life, there are few truths as powerful as the one expressed by Bart Millard: “As long as our heart’s beating, there’s a chance for us, or whoever that person is in our life, and I don’t know how the story turns out, but I do know that no one is out of the reach of God, and that anybody’s capable of change.” These words hold within them the power of hope, the possibility of redemption, and the unwavering belief that as long as we draw breath, no situation is beyond repair, no soul beyond salvation. This is a message not of certainty but of possibility, of faith in the potential for transformation and growth.

Life, as the ancients taught, is a journey of constant change. The heart, that primal organ, not only sustains life but symbolizes the very essence of our existence, our emotions, and our will. To say that while our heart still beats there is hope is to acknowledge the resilience of the human spirit, which, even in its darkest hours, has the power to turn toward the light. There is a profound strength in this belief, one that calls us to never surrender, to always seek redemption, and to understand that the end is never truly the end — there is always a chance for change, for a new beginning.

This sentiment echoes through the stories of great transformations in history. Consider the story of Saul of Tarsus, a man who was once a fierce persecutor of early Christians, yet found himself transformed into Saint Paul, one of the most influential figures in spreading the teachings of Christ. This transformation was not instantaneous; it required the divine intervention of God, a moment of revelation that changed the very course of Saul’s life. Just as Bart Millard so wisely states, no one is out of the reach of God. Even the most hardened of hearts, the most lost of souls, can find change through faith and divine grace. Saint Paul became a living testament to the truth that, no matter the depths to which a person may fall, redemption is always possible.

Another example of this can be seen in the life of Nelson Mandela, who spent 27 years in prison, a man broken by the system of apartheid that sought to silence him and others like him. Yet, even in his captivity, Mandela never lost his faith in the possibility of change. When he was freed, he did not seek revenge, but sought reconciliation, not only for his nation but for his own spirit. Mandela’s life serves as a beacon to us all: change is possible, even after years of hardship, even after profound injustice. Like the words of Millard, Mandela’s journey reminds us that as long as we are alive, we can choose to change, and we can change the world around us.

At the core of Millard’s statement is the profound belief in the power of transformation. No matter how deep our struggles, how insurmountable our obstacles, we are never beyond hope. God, or the force of the divine, if one prefers, is always within reach, and change is always possible through the power of will, faith, and perseverance. The darkest night may seem endless, but dawn is inevitable — and it is never too late to embrace a new path, to begin again, to rewrite our story.

The lesson here is one of hope and faith — not just in the divine, but in ourselves. No matter the circumstances, as long as our heart is beating, there is always a chance for renewal, for change. It is never too late to correct our course, to turn away from destructive patterns, and to walk toward something greater. Whether it is in our personal lives, our careers, or our relationships, the opportunity to change is always present. It is simply a matter of choosing it, of believing in our capacity for growth, and trusting that we are never beyond redemption.

So, in the story of our own lives, let us hold steadfast to the belief that change is always possible. Let us remember that as long as we draw breath, no matter how far we have fallen, we can rise again. Just as Saul became Paul, and Mandela became the father of a free South Africa, so too can we embrace the power of change. No one is beyond reach — neither ourselves nor those we love. May we find the courage to change, to seek redemption, and to believe that as long as our heart is beating, the story is never over. It is always ours to write.