By Andrew Williams
Opening Prayer
God, grant us the gift of a soft heart, that we might see repentance not as a burden, but as your beautiful and grace-filled path back to You.
Today’s Scripture (NLT)
Acts 3:19
“Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.”
We know God is faithful and waiting for us, but how do we actually begin the journey back from our detour? The Bible gives us the starting point, the turning point: repentance. For many, repentance sounds like a harsh, negative word filled with shame. But in reality, repentance is one of the most hopeful and beautiful gifts God gives us.
The word “repent” simply means to change your mind, which then leads to a change of direction. It’s that moment when you are walking away from God, and you stop, and you turn around. It’s a conscious decision to stop heading into the wilderness of your own way and to start heading back home toward Him.
Notice the beautiful promise attached to it: “…so that your sins may be wiped away.” Repentance is the key that unlocks the door to forgiveness and restoration. It is not a punishment; it is the path to freedom. It is God’s loving invitation to leave the pain and emptiness of our detour behind and to step back onto the road of His grace.
Disciples’ Life Tip: Repentance can be as simple as a prayer. Take a moment to turn back to God by praying: “Lord, I’ve been heading in my own direction. Today, I am turning around. I turn from my sin and I turn back to you. Please forgive me.”
Closing Prayer: Father God, thank You for the gift of repentance. Thank You that the path home is always open to us when we are willing to turn back to You. Amen.
