Getting Back on Track
Have you ever gotten off track? You know, those times when you set out intentionally for a specific destination, but somehow you end up stuck, on a side tangent, lost, or even at the wrong location entirely. I think of times when I’ve been stranded on the side of the road because of car trouble, projects that I got stuck on halfway through, meetings that went nowhere, relationships that fell apart, or goals I couldn’t seem to reach. Can you relate?
Not only do we get off track when it comes to travel, projects, or work, but there are times when our entire life goes off track. I am talking about the when you:
- Go from growing to going backwards
- Experience unexpected loss
- Face barriers that you have no idea how to overcome
- Can’t see your next step
- Feel distant from or even doubt God
- Find your relationships with family, friends, or co-workers falling apart
- Have anger or resentment toward others and towards God
- Struggle to find purpose, happiness, or joy
There are many, many ways we arrive at this place where it feels like our life has gone off the rails. We might be off track because of:
- Poor choices we’ve made
- Decisions made for us
- A new direction that we are headed
- Sinful patterns we have given into
- A slow drift from our purpose
- Circumstances that are completely out of our control
- A combination of multiple factors
In the book of Joel, the nation of Israel finds themselves off track. They are God’s chosen nation, called to live for Him and be a witness to all the nations. Instead of living out their purpose, they have forsaken God’s ways and forged their own path. Now, everything they own has been destroyed by a plague of locust.
Joel addresses the people and encourages them to lament and mourn before God. Then he warns them about the day of Lord that is coming in the future. On the day of Lord, a mighty army will come that no man can stand before. At
Today, I want to direct your attention to these words of hope. Why? Because whatever the reason your life has gone off the rails, there is only one way to get back on track and that is exactly what Joel addresses here. In the midst of Israel’s current pain and uncertain future, God speaks, “Return to Me with all your heart, and with fasting, weeping, and mourning; and rend your heart and not your garments.” (Joel 2:12-13)
No matter where God’s people are, how far they have fallen, how off track they are – it is never too late to return. The word return means to come back, restore, refresh, revoke, or turn. God has issued a standing invitation to His people – come back to Me!
God’s invitation to return is not limited to the people of Israel. It is for all people, for all time. We know this because Joel 2:13 continues by giving us the basis of this invitation. “He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in
Notice the phrase in verse 13, “rend your heart and not your garments.” In Joel’s day, people would tear their clothes to indicate outwardly when they were mourning deeply, including crying out as a part of repentance. Their torn clothes were a serious expression of their current state. Now God is giving His people a different framework.
Coming to God is not about outward expressions, instead, returning to God always involves your heart. You see, no matter what is happening in your life or why it is happening, if you have lost your way it means you have lost your connection to God. It is here in our darkest, most challenging times we are invited to bring our hearts to God.
If you find yourself off track, today is the day to turn to God. You can be sure He is waiting and ready to restore your heart. And as Joel says, “who knows whether He will not turn and relent and leave a blessing behind Him.” (Joel 2:14)
Add A Comment