A Call for Change

I have never gotten a warning from a police officer.

Well, let me restate that. I have a friend of mine on the force that has repeatedly warned me about expired inspection stickers on my previous car (my old car would routinely fail them). My current car is in much better condition than the old “Z” ever was.

So, I got pulled over today. Blue lights in the rear view mirror always make my innards quiver. The officer politely asked if the car was mine, then if I was aware that my inspection sticker had expired fourteen days ago. I lamely replied yes, I was going to do it, but didn’t get around to it. He got my info, and then gave me my court date and ticket.

I was stopped just a hundred yards from my office. I was planning on heading there so that I could finish writing this blog. God, apparently, had other plans. I went straight to my regular inspection station and got it inspected (it passed). I didn’t want to chance getting pulled over AGAIN.

Now that I’ve gotten that off my chest, I feel better. I was PLANNING on getting my car inspected, but until I did, I was a veritable ticket-magnet.

When we think of repentance, sometimes we think that it entails feeling guilty or punishing ourselves. It brings to mind self-flagellating monks and dragging up “dirty sins” (as opposed to “somewhat unclean” ones). But it’s neither. Repentance is about turning away and turning toward. It’s about action, not mere sentiment.

The Bible speaks often about repentance. God repeatedly call us to turn away from actions which only end up hurting us and others. He doesn’t call us to beat up ourselves. He doesn’t call us to feel a certain way. He calls us to change. Real change isn’t sentimental, it brings out tangible results.

When we change the direction of our lives from destructive habits towards selfless acts of devotion towards God and man, we begin to experience what Jesus called the Kingdom of God. Jesus spoke about God establishing His presence, His purpose here on earth as we waited for His return. The Kingdom was to be realized through the Church and His presence and purpose would become tangible through His followers as they lived out a life of compassion and truth.

But, we constantly screw up.

The beautiful thing about this Kingdom is that it is open to screw-ups. People who fail again and again, but never give up. People who believe that God can change them and can change the lives of those around them for the better. People who live a lifestyle of repentance.

Ezekiel 18:30-32 is a poignant cry; not from a ruthless judge, but from a devoted parent. “Therefore, I will judge each of you, O people of Israel, according to your actions, says the Sovereign LORD. Repent, and turn from your sins. Don’t let them destroy you! Put all your rebellion behind you, and find yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O people of Israel? I don’t want you to die, says the Sovereign LORD. Turn back and live!”

What do we do that only serves to hurt ourselves or others? What excuses do we make for ourselves? What needs to change in our lives? What might our lives look like if we were to turn? How would that affect those around us?