Which way you turnt? Up? Or down?

http://bible.com/116/jol.2.12-13.nlt
That is why the Lord says,
“Turn to me now,
while there is time.
Give me your hearts.
Come with fasting,
weeping, and mourning.
Don’t tear your clothing in your grief,
but tear your hearts instead.”
Return to the Lord your God,
for He is merciful and compassionate,
slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
He is eager to relent and not punish.

Yes, there is judgement and separation and punishment for many. But the Lord isn’t eager to punish, He doesn’t delight in the deaths of the wicked, He is not controlled by anger or retribution. He is just and fair and righteous. He is merciful and compassionate towards those who seek Him.

He promises that He will answer if we seek Him,  if we knock. He promises salvation if we believe – and act of faith demonstrated by confession and repentance as we turn away from sin and towards Him, as we throw down our idol of self and we love and honor Him with our lives.

He doesn’t want us weighed down by guilt and shame.  Instead,  He wants our hearts surrendered so we can be healed and set upon the narrow path of a live following Christ – a life with Christ living in us and through us,  serving and touching the lives of others,  sharing the truth of the gospel,  building up others in their walk.

We can either gave His refining discipline as a child of God,  walking with Him – or we will find ourselves in opposition and denial to Him when our judgement is at hand and we are facing the eternal consequences of our choices.

So we make this decision,  nor once,  but daily, to surrender our lives to His will,  to beat our cross for Him. To ask,  Lord, what might you do today,  through me to serve those around me, what might you cast out of my life that is not honoring you, how can I better reflect you to a world lost in darkness. And we seek your answers and your presence. We knock persistently until your answer is clear,  until we know that you are moving,  until we see your glory.

Lord,  keep us seeking, please keep moving,  but above all, let your will be done,  on earth as it is in heaven.