Where's the U-Turn?

I was driving on the C-5, an inner city highway in Manila the other day and I was surprised that I missed my turn. The next day, I did the same thing. Had I gone blind?! Then on the 3rd day, I drove slowly and carefully, looking for the U-turn slot. It was gone! Barricaded with huge potted plants.
The route I had taken for 5 months was no longer available! Scriptures popped into my head.
One description for “repentance” is to make a U-turn in your life. To go away from making bad decisions and move towards making good decisions.
In order to be free from sin and improve, it really isn’t enough just to be forgiven if we return to the same old habits and patterns over and over.
Forgiveness is the start but repentance is the goal.
There are times, it seems that are easier in our lives to make a U-turn then others. Times in which the Bible says God is near and can be found.
Isaiah 55:6-7 (NIV)
"6 Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.
7 Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon."
One of the ways I believe I can seek and call out to the Lord while He may be found has more to do with perspective on my part. If I am aware of my sin, my consequences and my desperate need of God, it is easier for me to take the actions required in order to move forward.
Psalm 32:5-7 (NIV)
"5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD "— and you forgave the guilt of my sin.
6 Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him.
7 You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.
There is a heavier side to this. If we ignore the voice of God through His people, His Word or by the whisper of His Spirit, that message will eventually cease to come our way. This is a scary thing to either be brazen to hearing God drawing us or for Him to stop drawing us because of our continued lack of response.
Let us this day, call on God and seek Him while He is near and while we are yet sensitive to His voice. Let us make the U-turn while it is still open to us. God will help us to change if we will simply respond to His kind and timely invitation.