"In many organizations, making changes is like putting lipstick on a bulldog. You have to work hard. Often all you get is a lipstick stain, and an angry bulldog." That's what Dave Murphy wrote in the San Francisco Chronicle.
True change, whether in business, church, family, or within ourselves, may be very difficult to make and difficult to understand. When we yearn for deep and lasting change, we can often only make patchwork changes that accomplish nothing and satisfy no one.
The word repent is used in the Bible to describe the beginning of true spiritual change. A linguist, WE Vine, defines repentance as "a change of one's mind or purpose". In the New Testament, repentance always involves a change for the better when one leaves sin and turns to God. Jesus began His ministry to the crowds by crying out, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" (Matthew 4:17).
When we regret for making a mistake or for being caught after doing something wrong, these feelings are just spiritual cosmetics. True repentance takes place deep in our hearts and makes a real difference in our actions.
When we turn to Christ and surrender ourselves to Him, He makes a real change, not just a patchwork change --David McCasland
* Take from Daily Reflections