Repentance and Renewal

Drifting? It’s Time to Come Home

I got lost in the desert once. that’s not metaphoriical< but physically, actually lost.

At first, I thought I could figure it out—just keep walking, follow the trail, no big deal. But the more I wandered, the more I realized: I wasn’t getting closer. I was making it worse. I had to stop, turn around, and get back on a path I knew to be the right one. I had drifted off the path and needed to get back.

That’s what happens to us spiritually, too. Usually we don’t wake up one day and decide to walk away from God, his community, or his mission. It’s more subtle than that. It’s small steps. Distractions creep in. Priorities shift. And before we know it, we’re far from where we’re meant to be. And the danger comes when that starts to become normal and not a reason for heart examination.

Lent is the invitation to stop, take a breath, and turn back. Like that moment in the desert to realize we are not actually helping the ache in our souls with our self-help methods, but need Jesus and his healing touch to restore what has been lost or neglected. Consider t

“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart.” (Joel 2:12)

Repentance Isn’t Just About Guilt—It’s About Coming Home

For some, the word repentance sounds harsh, like a scolding. But in Scripture, it’s a call to return, to realign, to come home. It’s a invitation to turn from a pattern, thought process, or belief and see the world afresh like God sees it and align your life with his inbreaking kingdom. We were made for life under God’s good reign, so his invitation to return is just that, a call back to what we are longing for- whether we know it or not.

Repentance isn’t about punishment. It’s about finding life again.

When Jesus said, “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news” (Mark 1:15)—He wasn’t just telling people to stop sinning and find personal forgiveness (as important as that is.). He was inviting them into something better, a new way of being. A way of living with him as king as part of his kingdom community. He was inviting a new way being in the world, a way of living life to it’s fullest !

Where Have You Drifted?

Drifting is easy. So how do you know when it’s happening? Here’s some highlights from our conversation on Sunday. (There’s a lot more for the list I’m sure)

• Your missional focus blurs—comfort takes over.

• Your morality slides—you tolerate things you used to resist.

• Your time and attention dilute—Jesus moves to the background.

* Your heart and calendar become chaotic. There’s no pace and it’s all gas no brakes.

* Your community involvement decreases. Being with God’s people is no longer a source of joy and rest, but labor and cynicism.

The Way Back

Lent is another invitation to stop and return God. We know he is the Father in the story of the prodigal sons ready to welcome back those who have outright rebelled or those who have inwardly drifted, but externally stuck around.

This reorienting and realignment leads to renewal. In Joel it was a call for the renewal of a community and in Mark it was the renewal project of the kingdom. In both cases personal response to the good news of God that led to renewal.

What’s one step you can take this week?

* Make space. Be with Jesus and see where he takes this conversations with you. Maybe use our Lent journal in that process.

• Fast—create space physically by stopping something you know may be distracting you.

• Reconcile a relationship—let go of resentment and move towards forgiveness. .

• Step into mission—say yes to God’s call if you already know where he’s been calling you, but like Jonah, you are resisting.