Marching in the Hamburg High School Band at football games was interesting & full of surprises. I can’t imagine what our Band Director went through every Friday night. Practice usually went well but the half-time show had a lot that was not included in his plan. There was a strong gust of wind that came up one night and blew all our music out of the holders onto the field. This resulted in a jazz rendition to a serious march. Then there was the time my friend’s trombone slide shot off and went flying across the field. The laughs when he went back on the field to get his slide was deafening. But the event that stood out the most was when half of the band was to do an about face on the 45-yard line. My buddy and I performed a sharp & perfect about face…at the 40-yard line. The problem was we almost made it to the 35 before we recognized we were the only two band members on the 35…we stood out. We turned around and ran so fast we went by our group when they turned at the 45… it looked like a 3 Stooges routine with just 2 trombone players. Funny stories but….

…God tells us, “Each of you must turn from your wicked ways and reform your actions.” Jeremiah 35:15. This turning around, an “About Face” is called “repenting,” taking a new direction. The word repent is used over 70 times in the Old & New Testament. Repenting is not just saying, “I’m sorry,” but intently & relentlessly going toward God and not turning back. Jesus said, “And you will perish, too, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God.” Luke 13:3.

We all like to complain about the condition…the mess the world, our country…where we live, but it starts with us personally. Peter said it this wat at Pentecost, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away—all who have been called by the Lord our God.” Acts 2:38-39.

God has promised us, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14.

After repentance, the journey begins. I have prayed this Psalm of David daily, throughout the day, to keep my eyes focused on Him and not distracted by the world. Try it…”Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” Psalm 25:4, -5.

Welcome to God School…where learning never stops.