Express Lane Repentance (10/15/2009)

LORD, after I wandered away from you, I changed my heart and life. After I understood, I beat my breast with sorrow. I was ashamed and disgraced, because I suffered for the foolish things I did when I was young. (Jeremiah 31:19)

This is probably a loaded question, but let me ask all of you this…

Have you ever really disappointed someone? I mean, have you ever done something or failed to do something, where after you did that thing (or failed to do that thing), it made other people change their opinion of you?

I think we all have…maybe you got caught going too far with your boyfriend or girlfriend…maybe it had to do with something embarrassing in your locker at school, or on your cell phone…maybe you came home wasted after a party.

If you’ve ever had an experience like that, you know how you feel afterwards. The guilt. The distress. You walk around and it feels like you’re wearing shoes made of cement. And all you want to do is go back in time for a “do-over.” All you want is people to stop being disappointed in you, and return to the way things used to be.

Easier said than done.

Or is it?

You see, there’s this “churchy” word that you may have heard called “repentance.” Unfortunately, the word has been used, and unfortunately abused, to mean something that it really isn’t. What I’m trying to say is this – genuine repentance, as illustrated so clearly in God’s word, is simply this – the desire to get rid of your sin and start over so God will look at you with joy once again.

So, what does the instruction manual say for how we should repent? Well, one problem I think we all face is that more often than not, we do something stupid or just plain mean, and we go through what I call “Express Lane Repentance.” Express Lane Repentance is:

1) Offer a quick prayer of apology to God
2) Ask God to forgive us
3) Get on with our lives

The problem with “Express Lane Repentance” is that it offers no real repentance at all. Express Lane Repentance is like what it sounds – like you are just driving through a toll booth of apologies.

But here’s the deal – when you sin against and disappoint someone in or around your life, there may be times when a simple “I’m sorry” may be good enough for your buddy or Mom or Dad. But for God, sometimes we actually need to give ourselves the time to experience the grief of regret so we can fully understand God’s forgiveness.

So here’s my suggestion for the next time you need to repent – instead of just doing the thoughtless Express Lane Repentance, try spending some time thinking about what Jesus went through and did for you on the cross. About how much he loved you that day, and loves you today. Think about who Jesus is, and understand that when we do those stupid or mean things in this life, we are sinning against Jesus. Because the more we understand this, the more we will experience real repentance.

Still stuck? Then just ask God to show himself to you, and help you repent. God will answer your prayer.