Turn Turn Turn

“But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”

Matthew 14:27

It’s been well said that the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. And what’s just as true is understanding that change is difficult, especially when the habits we are wanting to change have taken us a lifetime to develop. What if I told you that turning your worry into worship was a simple as turning, and changing direction. It’s true! Turning our worry into worship is a step, a single step in the right direction. As soon as we turn towards God He comes to us. Worship is all about the turn or you might say the “tap out”. Every time we turn to God it is an act of worship. The more we turn the more we worship!

There is a biblical word you don’t hear a lot about today that is important if we want to enjoy the life Jesus died to give us. It’s the word repent. Years ago it wasn’t uncommon to see a person standing on a street corner or outside some large public gathering holding a sign that said in big bold letters, REPENT. In the New Testament there are two different Greek verbs translated, repent. The first translation (metamelomai) means, “a regret of past actions”. As an example we can think of Judas who regretted that he betrayed Jesus, but did not have a change of heart toward God. The second word, (metanoeō), which means, “a change of mind, of heart or of attitude.” It refers to a complete change or turn about, in a word, repentance. When the Bible calls for a believer to repent, the word metanoeo is the word that is used.

God isn’t looking for regret, He is searching for a change of heart, for repentance. In other words God is waiting for the turn. Turning is all the Lord is looking for. I picture God standing there much like an official of an MMA Fight would, watching someone in a chokehold. He is waiting patiently for the fighter to “tap out”, to surrender, or submit. When you and I worry it’s like fighting against the plan of God, an act of futility at best. Every time we worry we are in essence saying, Jesus, I don’t trust you. Worry always loses but the way God sees it, when you and I repent, when we submit to His kingship we have begun to worship before whispering a word.

Remember, actions speak louder than words. When you feel worry coming on, turn! Turn to Jesus and not away from Him as the turning is the first step of worship.

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

John 14:27


I LOVE YOU!