Times of Refreshing

"Repent, therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the LORD..."
(Acts 3:19-20)

"Repent, so you'll be forgiven." That's what we're frequently instructed to do, right? Why? Because it's the right thing to do. That's the usual explanation, isn't it? We mess up all the time and need our sins to be forgiven, in order to live life to the fullest - the way God intended us to. But maybe there's more... maybe there's more to being forgiven than simply having our sins erased (stick with me here)...

Peter, in today's story (from Acts 3), talks about "times of refreshing" that come when we're forgiven. We are refreshed by the presence of the LORD in our lives, after our repentance. Times of refreshing. Moments when our spirits are renewed. Our burdens lifted. Our energy restored. Our hope fulfilled. Our peace empowered. Times of refreshing! And it all happened because we were willing to confess our sins.

Too often I think we feel that we have to maintain the outward appearances of "having it all together"... of being "in control"... and of "walking the talk" of our faith. But in reality, we don't always, do we?! That's our human nature. Nevertheless, there can be times of refreshing if we're honest with God and ourselves. Are you looking to be refreshed? Maybe it's just a confession away?!