Turn Around....

thoughts from Philippians 3.17 and a weekend of an outpouring of passion at ebc.

Jesus walked up to people and asked them to turn around and follow Him. What is profound is that many people actually did turn around and follow Him. Lives shifted and perspective, passion, and focus changed for many as they turned around and followed Christ --- making them Christ-followers. I think that same invitation is extended to each of us on this journey called life. He makes His way into our lives and says to us, turn around, follow me and I will lead you into life unimaginable. Repent was our word of the day..... repent being the action word for application of truth. When we encounter truth, we are faced with this internal disonance... what do I do with this truth? In my life, turning around/ repenting, and making application of truth is both difficult and breathtaking.

Jesus stepped into this earth with an alarming proclamation..... The Kingdom of God is near! Turn around and walk into the kingdom. Honestly, I am so deadened to the word 'repent'... I am so skewed in my perspective of that word that I really felt Jesus hitting me with a 2x4 as He said REPENT and DO SOMETHING BIG FOR THE KINGDOM. After letting go of the guilt complex (I have a BIG one), the heavy shoulders, the shame... after letting that go, I realized that Jesus message was not to have regret, to embrace remorse, or to feel bad!

Jesus was saying turn around and walk into the outrageous kingdom of God. Some of His first recorded words are "turn around, the kingdom of God is near". Turn around and look, walk straight into passion, forgiveness, freedom, hope, redemption, justification, purpose, healing..... turn around, giving up only those things that are 'killing' you, and walk into the fullness of your purpose. The kingdom of God is here... Turn around! That's beautiful....It's beautiful. The kingdom of God is change and beauty has arrived! (I'm having an 80's Bonnie Tyler Total Eclipse of the Heart moment... "turn around, bright eyes").

To repent... to turn around is the only alternative to pretending. Wow, do I ever grow weary as I attempt to 'fake' my way through this thing called Christianity. I want to settle for nothing less than turning to Christ.... experiencing His life.... living in the radical, revolutionary lifestyle that He has for me.... living with, for, through, and to the Kingdom of God..... knowing, at the depths of my heart, that Christ is the giver of every good thing. I long, daily... moment by moment, to turn into His kingdom, His ways, His purposes, His passion and to come alive.

To turn around is to grow. To turn around is the motto of the Kingdom of God. It is running into the arms of an incredible, loving Father. It's freedom!

Hey, Turn Around..... the Kingdom of God is near. When you are about you.... your deal... your ways, it's killing you. Christ says, I am here. Turn to me. I am life! Walk deeply into the Kingdom of God. It's what you were created to do, be, and live. Come on in!

Sweet! Feel free to add to the commentary by clicking on comments. Enjoy today.

Mark