I enjoy pain.
But why?
There's fruit in the journey.
The process yields great rewards.
It's just worth it.
Though there is zero enjoyment in the initial wreckage of our lives, there is a process of rehab, renewal, and regeneration that brings a joy to our hearts and a hunger for more in our spirits. This process changes us. However, it's our response that determines the direction of that change.
"He said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, 'You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits in keeping with repentance…'" –Luke 3:8
John the Baptist was preparing the way.
He was one of the many crucial forerunners to the coming redemption of God's children.
John was saying, "Don't avoid the mess. Repentance is necessary for redemption."
This one sentence stuck me: Bear fruits in keeping with repentance.
Bear fruits in keeping with repentance?
What does this mean?
It reminds me that in bearing Kingdom fruit, repentance isn't just a one-time or seldom thing.
Repentance is often to be had and dealt with, whether viewed as "big" or "small" in our feeble minds.
In moving forward, something must be turned on, left behind, given up, and almost always repented of.
Repentance is often viewed as a bad thing because we are exposed, even if it's just to God.
No one wants to be exposed, right? We always think, "is it really necessary?"
On the contrary to our skewed view, repentance is a beautiful process of renewal, regeneration, and growth.
It's necessary alright.
Keeping with repentance requires the constant renewal of our minds.
"…put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness." –Ephesians 4:22-24
Renewing your mind is keeping with repentance. That is the journey changes you…
Some versions of Luke 3:8 say, "bear fruits worthy of repentance."
In other words, the fruits we want, the fruits that last, those are the fruits worth being exposed, the fruits worth the pain, the fruits worth the Spirit rubbing flesh, the fruits worth the heart wrenching journeys…
I encourage you today, ask God to flip your tables, to stir you up, and bring a little pain.
Nobody enjoys it initially, but it's worth it indeed.
Repent and watch your world turn upside down for the Kingdom…
Your mess is worth it.
Take joy in giving up.
You'll find He is faithful.
You'll find He is good.
Take the worthy risk.
Choose repentance.
