Repentance, renewal and restoration

By Jennifer Stutzman, custodial supervisor

Scripture: Malachi 3:1-4 (NRSV)

See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears?

For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap; he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.

Devotional:

The second advent of Christ will be one of judgment and purification. When I read this scripture I hear myself giving testimony of how Christ is at work in my heart and mind refining me. When I share with others what he has and is doing in my life, I believe it gently calls them to Christ, similar to the first advent of John the Baptist who was a voice crying out in the wilderness, sharing his message of repentance and baptizing with water.

Return is the key term in Hebrew prophets for repentance, renewal and restoration. Amazing how much that word explains my journey. Countless times I turned and walked away from Christ. As a result I endured some painful consequences. This became a way of life, a miserable one, for many years until finally I truly repented and returned to Christ, giving him everything, asking for his forgiveness and receiving mercy, grace and love. Miracle is the only word to describe the renewal and restoration process taking place in my life.

Many years ago I met my spiritual mentor. She was my teacher at beauty college. She had shared that she had just given her life to Jesus and what was happening as a result of that decision. She told me about her life before and how God was changing her heart and how addictions were removed. Changes were happening in her husband who was a guitar player in a rock band that played in clubs for years. He came to Christ shortly after she did and for as long as I can remember he had a Christian band in their church. As the years went by our relationship grew. She invited me to her church, prayed with me, encouraged my faith and followed me through the years. I saw the fruit of her life develop. I thank God for my friend and am inspired to be a mentor to those placed in my path.