Illustration of repentance

Bill Upchurch preached last Wednesday evening at our church and gave an excellent example of repentance—changing of one’s mind, heart and direction regarding some desire. He told the story of changing his mind about camping using his pop-up camper. Bill wanted camping to be a family activity and bought a pop-up camper. However, each camping trip turned into a mini-disaster. Bill described a near drowning of his wife, injuries to his son, and near loss due to a river’s flooding. Eventually, he was humbled and “changed directions” regarding use of that camper that he so dearly wanted to use. He changed his mind and sold it for a pittance. He got rid of that camper. He asked if we had a “camper” that we needed to repent of in our life? Do you?

The Bible is full of stories of repentance—e.g. Zacchaeus, prodigal son, and Saul of Tarsus. In Ezekiel 33:11, the Lord commanded people to “Turn! Turn from their evil ways!” To illustrate repentance, perhaps you can use Bill’s illustration of changing his mind about his camper, or use an example from your own life.