You Can Still Change Your Mind

I was a college senior and had finally decided that enough was enough. I needed to find new friends who would encourage me in my faith journey rather then discourage me (or encourage complacency).

I walked up to the coffee shop doors and wiped my sweaty palms on my jeans. I was meeting one of the Saint Paul's Outreach missionaries on campus for the first time. Trailing me into the coffee shop that afternoon were shame, memories of my sinful past, embarrassment over the gulf between who I had been and who I wanted so deeply to choose to be.

I sat across from this woman and felt that she saw me, not for what I'd done, but for what I was choosing now. A life pointed towards Him. A desire to pursue holiness. A need for a new vineyard in which I could work for His kingdom instead of my own.

All that I walked into the coffee shop with—the shame and the memories—dissipated as the love of Christ filled that empty space. That day, this woman chose to show up and remind me that Our God is a God of mercy and compassion and second chances.

Sometimes, changing our minds like the second son in today's Gospel (Matthew 21:28-32) looks like my story. And sometimes, perhaps, it's simple course corrections here and there as we continue to work in His vineyard. Whatever the case and wherever you find yourself today, may we remember that we can always return to Him!

And furthermore, may we remember that we may be the one today that reminds another that they can turn back, too.

We can always return to Him. // Shalini BlubaughClick to tweet

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Does anyone in your life need encouragement or support to make big changes? Ask the Holy Spirit to help you today.