“Does your car have a GPS?” Stan asked me one morning.
“It does,” I responded. “I use it all of the time and find that it’s really helpful. Why do you ask?”
“You know what GPS stands for?” Stan asked.
“Global Positioning System,” I said, “or something like that.”
“I think that’s right,” Stan replied. “And the other day I saw how the GPS in my car can teach me spiritual lessons.”
“Spiritual lessons from your GPS? You must be kidding!”
“Not when I see GPS as ‘God’s Positioning System’ or ‘God’s Protective System’,” Stan replied with a smile. “Actually,” he continued, the GPS voice on my car helped me to focus on a spiritual lesson just yesterday.”
“How so?” I asked.
“Well,” Stan said, “I heard about a new discount tire store over in Junction City. I didn’t know where it was, but I had the address. I put that address in the GPS and headed out.”
“Sounds good,” I commented. “Then what?”
“At one point,” Stan replied, “I missed a turn and the GPS voice said, ‘Recalculating. Make a U-turn if possible’.”
“Yeah,” I responded, “mine says about the same thing when I make a mistake and miss a turn. What about it?”
“It struck me,” Stan said, “that the Holy Spirit often says the same thing to me, but with an important difference.”
“What do you mean?”
“When I’m going in the wrong direction, the Holy Spirit says I am to make a U-turn, but He does not add, ‘if possible’.”
“No,” Stan continued. “the Holy Spirit says to make a U-turn and He adds no qualification to it. He says ‘turn around and go in a different direction.’ When I hear and listen to His voice, I am to change directions. Period. None of this ‘If possible’ sort of thing!”
“Isn’t that kind of what repentance is all about?” I asked.
“Yes, my friend,” Stan replied. “And it’s more than ‘kind of like’. I think that’s what it is all about.There are to be no ifs, ands, or buts. It is when I seek to add some qualification to my repentance that I am continuing to go in the wrong direction.”
“Make a U-turn and make it quickly,” I commented.
“Bingo and Amen,” Stan replied.
_________________________________________
Bible verses to consider:
The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing any to perish but for all to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9.
Repent therefore and return, that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. Acts of the Apostles 3:19
I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. Luke 15:7.
And after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:14-15.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, that you sent Jesus into the world so that all who change from their direction of unbelief can believe and have the assurance of spending eternity in your presence. Thank you for those who brought me to that truth so I could repent. Thank you, too, for the provision of the Holy Spirit who leads me in daily repentance to change directions and walk with you. I confess that too often I do not listen to His voice and I do not change directions. Please forgive that foolishness. Please help me in following every step of your lead so I follow you and your direction exactly as you intend. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Have you repented for eternal purposes so that you know you will spend eternity in God’s presence when it’s time? If no, why? That assurance is free and is available to be accepted by faith. If you do have that assurance, how are you doing with repentance on this side of eternity? Are there times when you purposefully do not repent and change directions? If so, what is that all about? If you sense the need for changes in how you view ongoing repentance, how are those changes going to happen? Is that what you want? Why or why not?
Waiting for the Train 