U Turn

Back when I lived in Indianapolis, Indiana I once had an important meeting to attend in Markle, Indiana. Markle was quite a distance, and I did not know the way, so I told my phone to give me directions to Markle. After driving for quite a while I realized that I did not seem to be where I thought I should be. Unfortunately, I had made a mistake and not told the phone I wanted Markle, Indiana instead I think it was taking me to Markleville, Illinois. I had made a mistake and was going in the wrong direction. Therefore, I turned around and headed back to Indianapolis. I had wasted too much time to make the important meeting. You may not have done something that was quite that dumb but all of us have gone in the wrong direction at times in our lives. The solution to going in the wrong direction is repentance. I realize this is an old Bible word that you may not have used recently but the concept is important. When you are going in the wrong direction you have to turn around. Just as it would have been incredibly foolish of me to drive all the way to the wrong town it is foolish of us to continue heading in the wrong direction once we have the critical aha moment where we realize our mistake.
In the book of Acts the Apostle Peter says, “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord . . . ( Acts 3:19). Repent means to change our mind and actions, ultimately to turn from sin and turn towards God. In a sense, to make a spiritual U turn. We all need to assess which way we are headed in each area of our lives. Which way am I going in my relationships? Are we walking in pride or humility? Are we selfish or practicing servanthood? Are we being deceptive or authentic? Examine how we handle our money and other resources. Are we people marked by generosity or greed? Do we seek to bless others with our resources or simply fulfill our own desires? God our Creator made us and knows what is best for us. His word (the Bible) shares with us how to live in a way where we flourish and thrive.
Therefore, when we repent, we turn from sin to the full, abundant life that God intended for us (John 10:10). Notice in the passage I quoted from the apostle Peter, it says that out of repentance comes times of refreshing. When we men treat women as objects of our lust they lose and so do we. But when we repent and treat women as made in the image of God and immensely valuable and commit loyally to one precious female, we build a marriage that can be fulfilling and satisfying. When we tell the truth consistently as the Bible commands, we become known for integrity and are trusted by all who know us. As we walk in the truth that when we repent our “sins may be wiped out” (Acts 3:19). How refreshing is it to be forgiven? Our lies, lust, selfishness, greed, gossip, laziness, gluttony can all be wiped out by Christ. What a relief! That is good news!
Today where are you headed? Towards pride or humility? Towards selfishness or servanthood? Isn’t it time to repent and experience the promised refreshing?

Pastor Derek Dickinson