"Turn"

Are we going down,

Has life become a frown,

In trouble will we drown,

Can any hope be found?

Look for it in the news,

Pray for it in the pews,

Searching for some clues,

Seems more and more we lose.

We were not close before,

Now social distance more,

And now an uphill chore,

Exhausted and heart sore.

The money and the games,

The movies and the names,

The merchants and the claims,

The sickness and the shames,

So, God, we turn to You,

There’s nothing else to do,

Have mercy or we’re through,

Show us what is true.

“‘The time promised by God has come at last,’ He (Jesus) announced. ‘The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!’” (Mark 1:15, NLT)

Change can be painful but it is necessary. When Jesus began His ministry He set forth the fundamental message that would characterize His time on earth and the ongoing message of the Church ever since. What is that message? God invites us to experience His personal rule in our lives and the salvation He provides. The response that enable us to receive this gift is faith and the willingness to change. The word “repent” literally means a change of mind resulting in a change of behavior. If one believes, but has no willingness or inclination to change with God’s help, their faith is defective. Saving faith is all about changing from self-government to God’s government, our will to God’s will, and self-centeredness to the Lordship of Jesus. This will produce, over time, a life that is in step with the Lord’s plan for our lives. Repentance is how we begin, and how each successive step of faith is taken. When the circumstances of life show us how much we need the Lord, it’s time to turn to Him. God help us do just that.

Lord, help us to turn to You with all our hearts, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Shawn Cameron, shawncameron.com. Used by permission. Thanks, Shawn, and God bless you.