lost in the woods

What do you do if you get lost in the woods? It’s pretty easy to do, especially if you weren’t following where the path was taking you.

One of the things you could do, is turn around, and retrace your footsteps. You might see things that remind you of the journey, and eventually, you find the point where you last knew you were on the right path.

“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” - Acts 3:19

That’s a little bit like repentance. It’s one thing to say you’re sorry for being on a path that wasn’t right for you; it’s quite another to turn around and find the right one.

In Acts 3, Peter is sharing the good news of Jesus. While speaking, he urges them to ‘repent’ so that ‘times of refreshing’ might come.

If today, you know you’re not on a good path, or there’s an area of your life that feels so far away from God’s best, why not take Peter’s brilliant advice? Stop - whatever it is, stop that journey. Turn around - repent, and let God guide you towards the point where you can feel refreshed again. 

If you’re in a group, it might be good to talk it through with your group leader or someone who’s looking after you - just so you can walk it together. Nobody wants any of us to be lost in the woods.

legacy

In ancient times, your legacy really mattered. Children were the hope that your family would continue, that what God had spoken over you would multiply in the generations to come.

In fact, the Bible shows us that children themselves are a testimony that points to God’s holiness...

“When they see among them their children, the work of my hands, they will keep my name holy; they will acknowledge the holiness of the Holy One of Jacob and will stand in awe of the God of Israel.” - Isaiah 29:23

It might not always be obvious, but children are meant to inspire awe and holiness. The reason is that they’re evidence that God’s word is true, His promises are faithful, and that He is holy. In fact, God wants to display that message across all the generations - from the youngest to the oldest - so that the nations ‘acknowledge the Holy One’ who began the promise in our community. 
Whichever generation you belong to, you have the opportunity today to display the holiness of God. 

So. Do you have a legacy? Today as you pray and fast, ask God to reveal His holiness through the generations after you, before you, and around you. 
What will you leave behind you today? What will people thank you for at the end of the day?