Repentance That Prepares the Way
An important part of our preparation for the glory of Pentecost is repentance. This was something Peter knew deeply and personally. In the days between Easter and Pentecost, Peter lived with the memory of denial, failure, and forgiveness. Out of that lived experience, he later urged others, “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).
Repentance is not simply about feeling guilty or ashamed. At its heart, it is about a change of direction — turning away from what diminishes life and turning towards the God who restores it. Peter describes repentance not as a burden but as a doorway: forgiveness received, and “times of refreshing” poured out by God.
Yet many of us still see repentance as a negative or heavy experience. Fred Buechner offers a much more hopeful picture: “To repent is to come to your senses. It is not so much something you do as something that happens. True repentance spends less time looking at the past and saying, ‘I’m sorry,’ than to the future and saying, ‘Wow!’”
Think of someone who has been walking the wrong way on a long journey. They are tired, frustrated, and wondering why the destination never seems to come closer. Then suddenly they realise the mistake, turn around, and see the path opening ahead of them. The relief, the hope, the renewed energy — that is repentance. It is not about beating ourselves up for the wrong turn, but rejoicing that we are now heading home.
And surely there is no better word to describe the coming of the Holy Spirit than “Wow!” Pentecost is God’s great “times of refreshing” moment — breath for the weary, fire for the fearful, courage for the hesitant.
The Challenge:
As we wait for Pentecost, ask yourself: is there an area of my life where God is gently inviting me to turn around? Not in fear, but in expectation. What might God be longing to refresh and renew?
Prayer:
Loving God,
we bring before you the places where we have lost our way.
Help us to come to our senses, to turn again towards you,
and to trust in your mercy and grace.
As we repent, fill us with hope,
and prepare our hearts for the refreshing power of your Holy Spirit.
May our response be not fear, but wonder — and a joyful “Wow!”
Amen.
