Repentance

  

Repentance...  Means turning around. Going the opposite direction. 

And...  Hopefully it means not wanting to go back the way you came from. 

I often think of getting stuck in quick sand.  I've been in that situation before. Fixing an electric fence in a swampy area- thinking I could tread lightly- but suddenly I was in deep trouble. Sometimes you can get out of quicksand by grabbing something. Sometimes you just lean way over and spread out your weight and crawl out. Either way- you end up very messy, scared and never wanting to get in that situation again. 

That's how I hope repentance is...  You get messy...  You get stuck...  It's scary... And you never want to go back there. 

In gaining new freedom, one must loose part of one's self though.  See, if you never want to get stuck in the quick sand again, you have to give up the scenery of the swamp. There IS beauty in the swamp. No doubt!   But the freedom from the path leading to the quicksand means never returning that way again. 

One thing I have realized I need to repent of is ungratefulness. Not valuing life each and every day.  Hannah has been flourishing since her surgery and I realized I need to be thankful for each breath, for each new day.  Each revolution is a chance to breath in and out thankfulness. 

But in order to receive this blessing I have to give up ground. Ground the enemy has previously won over. I have to give up the scenery of the swamp. I've got to give up negative talk. I've got to give up every form of bitterness. 

What are you willing to give up?  It might mean not entertaining certain thoughts. It could mean not keeping company with people who bring you back to that path to the quick sand. 

Matthew 7:13

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.