Anchor Devotional

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The Amazing Roundhouse

“In those days John the Baptist came, preaching … and saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.’” Matthew 3:1-2

When I was a kid, I was fascinated by roundhouses. Have you ever seen one? A train at the end of its tracks enters a roundhouse where the tracks then pivot and turn the engine around to the opposite direction.

The workings of a roundhouse years later helped me understand repentance. To repent means to change direction, to get in the roundhouse, so to speak, and turn around completely. John the Baptist preached that his listeners should repent of their sins and turn to God.

Many times, at the end of my tracks, God puts me in His roundhouse, turns me back to Him, and proves that I can make my plans, but it is He who determines my steps (see Proverbs 16:9). Though I haven’t understood all His reasons, not once did I regret repenting. Whenever I have turned back to His way, it’s been good and right.

If you are at an impasse in your life or if life has become meaningless, enter God’s roundhouse and repent. Take comfort in Jeremiah’s words: “Lord, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps” (10:23).

SCRIPTURE FOCUS
Matthew 3:1-12

INSIGHT
Lord, I admit I can’t run my own life. I repent for trying to do so. Correct me. Turn me around as You see best. Amen

THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Jeremiah 23-24
Psalm 115
1 Corinthians 5-6

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