A Turn for the Better
by Sandy Ohlman
Have you ever been driving around in a strange city, trying to find your way? Years ago my family visited Boston, a beautiful city that must been seen. One of the traits I remember most about Boston was the vast amount of 'One Way' streets and the challenge they present to a tourist. As we attempted to make our way from one place to another we got turned around and were driving the wrong way on a 'One Way'. Fortunately, it didn’t create a huge problem and we were able to get turned around quickly, but the tension level in the car for those few moments, well, let’s say, they were memorable for sure. Whether we are heading the wrong direction on a street or facing the wrong way internally in life the result is tension.
So many Christians live life all turned around. Missing out on all the sweetness of salvation, they are on the right road - facing the wrong way. What’s the obsessive distraction? Maybe it’s a painful past; the distraction of reaching out for people’s approval; or maybe it’s a fear to face the future. What ever the reason, if our focus is not forward we end up stressed and eventually depressed. The good news is anyone can change.
What’s the remedy for a misplaced focus? It’s very simple: Adjust your perspective by turning around. God is right here, right now and is calling you to turn your heart fully toward Him. He promises that a heart focused on Him is a heart at peace. Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. That’s God's will for your life: perfect, constant peace.
Turning around sounds so easy yet often presents the challenge of confronting mindsets we’ve tolerated for decades. Approval addiction, complaining, fear-based attitudes, these are all evil thought patterns; evil because they are contrary to what God says. If we believe them we permit them to dominate us. The great news is God has equipped us to be able to overcome every negative thought pattern and turn our focus completely to Him. We can be totally free and enjoy life fully in the “here and now”.
It begins by turning and facing the cross. The cross is where every Christian begins their journey. When we approach the cross the first thing that we should note is the desire to bow. Humility is the key virtue of Christianity because it is the key virtue of Christ who humbled Himself to come as a man and die on a cross for the sins of the world.
Why is humility so important? It is the foundational attitude that will lead us to surrender our old mindsets and replace them with the wisdom of God. It’s very simple; in all matters of life God is right. Humility helps us move from our thinking to God’s thinking. It’s challenging to receive God’s instruction, almost feeling like we are personally getting pushed down. We know we are truly Christians when we willingly surrender to the pressure of conviction, bowing our will to God’s. Our “flesh” may not like it but being pushed is not a bad thing – it’s a sign that God is moving and we are responding accordingly.
A few years ago my husband and I took ballroom dance lessons. Apart from being absolutely hilarious and one of our all-time favorite date ideas, dance lessons became a great source of illustrations for bible teaching. One of the challenges we faced was the whole “who’s leading?” thing. I’ll admit I was a little prone to ‘take the lead’. The dance is only successful when you know your role and have the right stance. A critical component to this ‘stance’ is to create pressure between the partners. The man should have his right hand pressed against the middle of the woman’s back and his left hand pressed against her right hand. This pressure allows the man to lead and provide balance.
Now, imagine yourself on the dance floor of life – it’s you and God. He uses His sweetness, His kindness to apply pressure and lead you into repentance. There is no condemnation just a sweet pull to change your position. As God leads, you follow and your life becomes poetry in motion – a thing of beauty. Pushing and pulling is not a problem unless you are resisting, but why would you do that?
When you feel a gentle prompting, humble yourself – God is leading you. That’s a good thing. If you don’t feel any prompting, ever, you may be dancing alone; humility will cure that. Humility positions you to take steps that lead you in the right direction. At first those steps may seem awkward but keep dancing. God will lead you to a good place. Just keep dancing. This dance was intended to last for a lifetime. Before you know it, you will have grown so close together that you will see the next step in His eyes before you sense it in His hands. “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith...” Heb 12:2 Keep your eyes on His; that focus is a powerful thing and is the very thing that will bring healing and peace.
As you live out your busy life, be honest with yourself: Are you looking back? Are you going the wrong way? Are you stressed out - full of tension? Are you trying to lead? STOP. Take a deep breathe, humble yourself; look into His eyes and take His hand. He will lead you and turn your life around.
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