Turning Around

If you’re moving to another state and are concerned that you’ll have to learn to recognize a whole new set of road signs, you have nothing to worry about. Traffic and road signs are consistent nationwide. From Florida to Washington, all highway traffic signs are green with white lettering. All parking signs are white with green lettering. And all warning signs are yellow with black lettering.

But it wasn’t always this way. The first stop sign appeared in Detroit in 1915. It was originally yellow and stayed that way for about thirty years before it was changed to red. One reason the color was changed was to make it consistent with red traffic signals. Another reason is that durable fade-resistant red paint was finally made available.

One of the most important road signs in the Christian life is the U-turn. In the experience of salvation, turning around is called repentance. The Greek word for repent means “to change one’s mind.” Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would come and “convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (John 16:8). Conviction is like a stop sign that makes us quit moving in a certain direction and change course.

When the heart is convicted of sin, it is prepared to make an important choice. When the Holy Spirit, through the preaching of Peter, convicted people at Pentecost of their need of a Savior, they wanted to know what to do. The Bible says, “When they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Men and brethren, what shall we do?’ ” (Acts 2:37). Peter’s response was simple and clear: “Repent” (verse 38).

Repentance comes before forgiveness, yet we do not have the ability to produce a repentant heart in our own power. It is “the goodness of God [that] leads you to repentance” (Romans 2:4). Nothing so moves the heart to repent than beholding Christ. “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself” (John 12:32).

Are you ready to stop and make a U-turn?

Apply It:

The next time you see a U-turn sign, thank God for the opportunity to turn toward Him.

Dig Deeper:

Psalm 51:1–19; Proverbs 28:13; Acts 5:31

Key Bible Texts

Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: (Joel 2:12 KJV)