Taking It to Work:
When can you get somewhere faster, by stopping and going in the opposite direction? The answer: whenever you have made a wrong turn. In the story of the prodigal son, that son made a very wrong turn, and his best way forward, was to go back.
When he did go back, which took way too long to finally do, he found that turning back was not near as painful as he thought. Yes, his pride was tough to swallow, and he was going to have to deal with an angry brother. But dealing with the real person who he hurt directly, his father, was not near as humiliating as he thought it would be, and going back turned out to be the best way forward.
C.S Lewis wrote in Mere Christianity, “We all want progress. But progress means getting nearer to the place where you want to be. And if you have taken a wrong turn, then to go forward does not get you any nearer. If you are on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; and in that case the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive man…There is nothing progressive about being pigheaded and refusing to admit a mistake…Going back is the quickest way on.”
We should never fear or delay a change for the good. Turning from a behavior that is not pleasing to God, asking forgiveness, and moving intentionally back toward Him is the continual call of the saved. But that’s not the only stage for repentance. What habits at your workplace could use a u-turn? A bad attitude with a coworker? An air of haughtiness to those low on the org chart? A gruff demeanor that you know is not Christ-like? Whatever it is, and no matter the difficulty or embarrassment of admitting wrong and changing that behavior, at work or with you team at home, it will be the best way forward to becoming the person you really want to be, as His Word works in you, today.
Luke 15:10 (ESV) – “Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Acts 3:19 (ESV) – Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,
Jer 31:19 (ESV) – After I strayed, I repented; after I came to understand, I beat my breast. I was ashamed and humiliated because I bore the disgrace of my youth.
Luke 15:20 (ESV) – And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him
Listening to the Holy Spirit:
He who walks toward My light sees not his shadow, nor does the Light. For the eyes of a repentant sinner glow with the same light in which he seeks. Repentance removes the stain, as I restore white to his garment, a garment given through love and blood. I rejoice in the turning moment, as the soul reawakens to the life promised in obedience to My ways. All of the heavens rejoice, that life is restored by the coming. Do not fear the light, for what lives in the darkness cannot bear in the light, and what is found in the light, is the life to all men. Respond to My call within. Turn from the dark place, for you are not of the dark place. The shadow falls behind, and My eyes see only your own – forgiven, restored.
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