Our hope, as Christians, should be that every church (both the building and the people inside it) should be like a welcoming home, a place full of grace, mercy, and unconditional love. A space where people can set aside their “baggage” and “burdens,” flop down on the couch of confession, and sink into the cushions of forgiveness and grace. A home is where you’re offered a drink of living water and the bread of life, where God’s Word is taught, where understanding God’s grace is only complete with true repentance, where you experience glimpses of the eternal house of God.

Perhaps repentance is less to do with our mistakes and more to do with turning to Christ, our Lord, our Forgiver, our Saviour. What a joy it is to follow Jesus! No matter where you are in life, if you need to repent of something (and we all do, all the time!), take it as an opportunity to rejoice as you turn towards Jesus. God bless!

Father, help us to make room for people in our hearts and homes to receive your grace and mercy. Amen.