Repent
I sometimes feel like this word is my middle name. I find myself repenting often because of my sin. I miss the mark very often. If you look at my life on the outside, I don’t appear so bad. The Lord knows my heart and He sees it all and it’s not all good. As I follow Him daily, I’m drawn to honor Him with my whole life. I don’t want to think some of the thoughts that I think. I don’t really intend to say some of the things I say, but I said it anyway. If the word “sin” means “missing the mark” then I’m a wildly successful sinner. I don’t want that to be what I’m known for. I want to be known for following the Lord.
As I read from the prophet Joel this morning, I was reminded of what a rescue the Lord has done for me and mankind. We deserve death as punishment, but instead He pours out His blessing upon us. He wants my heart devoted to Him. Check this out….
12 That is why the Lord says,
“Turn to me now, while there is time.
Give me your hearts.
Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning.
13 Don’t tear your clothing in your grief,
but tear your hearts instead.”
Return to the Lord your God,
for he is merciful and compassionate,
slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
He is eager to relent and not punish. (Joel 2:12-13 NLT)
I use the word “heart” to really describe the center of my soul. My physical heart is critical to my physical body’s function. My “soul center” is the control center of my behavior – the activities of my life. I don’t do anything without it passing through command and control – aka, my heart.
The Lord doesn’t keep pounding on my behavior, even though it reveals details about me. He keeps pursuing my heart. When the Lord has my heart, my behavior flows from a heart surrendered to Him. He wants me to work on my heart posture more than displaying a worshipful spirit. A worshipful spirit flows from a heart posture of repentance and deep gratitude for forgiveness.
Repentance is simply a part of my everyday life. I need to repent as soon as my sin is brought to my attention. The Lord can do amazing things in me and through me when my heart is postured in repentance.
Pressing On!
Dwayne