2 Chronicles 7:14
" . . . if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." RSV

" . . . turn from their wicked ways . . . "

It wouldn't seem that someone who has humbled herself and who is praying and seeking God would still be wicked. But I think we are such schizophrenic people; we long for righteousness and we embrace the world. James tells us "From the same mouth come blessing and cursing" (James 3:10a RSV).

Ain't that the truth?

I was at work the other day, stopped by to see a former supervisor. I began the conversation wanting to tell him about an article I read . . . and ended up the conversation in vitriol gossip! I still have a bad taste in my mouth . . . from my own actions.

When will I learn just to be quiet?

Years ago, I learned that the foundational aspect of repentance was turning around and going another way. The Lord tells us here to turn from our wicked ways. We are there. They (the wicked ways) are upon us. We need to turn around! Three little phrases . . .

• humble themselves
• pray and seek His face
• turn from their wicked ways

. . . and yet I think so much space between each one. Because just when we think we've mastered one of these, another seems outside of our grasp. We need to do them all . . . all the time.

From one of my hubby's favorite movies: "Practice! Practice! Practice!"

We need to get down to the basics, back to the discipline, return to the kind of constraints placed on children. Hebrews 5 tells us:

"For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need some one to teach you again the first principles of God's word. You need milk, not solid food; for every one who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their faculties trained by practice to distinguish good from evil" (Hebrews 5:12-14 RSV).

" . . . trained by practice!"

I have, occasionally, piano students. One of the things I insist upon is that they set aside some time (not just five minutes!) to practice everyday. And their practice can't be just "playing along." They need to practice scales, rhythm, fingering . . . if they want to become accomplished musicians.

As Christians, we need to practice! We need to set aside time everyday for prayer, for meditation, for Bible study, and then, at the end of the day, for reflection and confession. How much better to end our day in the sweet presence of the Spirit, accepting forgiveness for our complete idiocy throughout the day, rather than closing our eyes to the depressing sounds of the local news (on TV) or the evil of a movie.

" . . . turn from our wicked ways . . . "

Identify them. Practice turning from them. Confess them when we do give in.

We need to be better at this.

Copyright 2008 by Robin L. O'Hare. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission. Permission to reproduce will be given by author by contacting servinggodalone @ yahoo.com. All copies must be reproduced in their entirety and distributed without cost.