Turning Point

     To repent in the Greek is metanoia, primarily an after-thought, different from the former thought; a change of mind accompanied by regret and change of conduct, "change of mind and heart", or, "change of consciousness" (Wikipedia). As I read Beth Moore's, Living Free, Bible study today I was struck by the thought that there must be a turning point in the Christian walk where we go from believing and being in God's Word to knowing and doing God's Word for His glory. Part of our repentance, as we become new believers, is to acknowledge that we have had a change of heart and mind, that we no longer want to live as we did before. We now want to put our faith in Christ Jesus rather than in ourselves or in the world. 
     Moore asked the following questions that made me ponder my own walk and maturity in Christ:

• What would your life be like if you totally believed God?
• How would life be different if your greatest desire became to glorify God?
• What would it mean for you to find satisfaction in God?
• Describe your life if God's peace wrapped around you and protected you even in the midst of the greatest possible turmoil.
• What difference would it make if you could perfectly enjoy God's presence with nothing to come between you and Him? 

Ancient olive trees in the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mt. of Olives. 
Isaiah 30:15
This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it..."