Two of my sons and I were riding the subway in NYC recently. After looking at a sign on the train, I noticed our train line didn’t stop at our destination. Big mistake. Two lines ran side by side for a distance, then split. It took us out of Manhattan, and across the river into Williamsburg, just north of Brooklyn.

At the first stop in Williamsburg, I knew we had to get off and take a train headed back into Manhattan. I was nervous about the unknown. We walked up to street level into a questionable neighborhood and walked across the street to catch a train traveling in the opposite direction.

I was so glad to get back on the right track, literally!

God’s mercies never end

Have you ever felt like you have gotten on the wrong train? Got off on the wrong path? And you’re clueless about how to turn yourself around? Maybe you feel hopeless or guilty over a sin or neglect. Or experiencing conflict in a relationship. Does your spiritual walk need a re-vamp? Or do you simply long for a change?

You are not alone.

No matter where you are, how stuck you may seem,

“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases. His mercies are new every morning. They never come to an end.” (Lamentations 3:22)

God will give us the strength to turn and set our face toward Him.

Total Transformations

Zacchaeus found himself on the wrong path, but one encounter with Jesus transformed him. He came for a glimpse of Jesus from the branches of a sycamore tree. Maybe what started with curiosity and a search for more ended in a breakthrough. His life was no longer the same. (See Luke 19:1-10.)

I think after the rooster crowed the third time; Peter’s heart must have sunk. Peter denied he knew Jesus. His denial must have been the lowest point in his life. But his story didn’t end with his mistakes and betrayal. He experienced God’s mercy. He repented and with Jesus’ love and forgiveness, He turned his life around and brought the message of hope and joy to all those he encountered. (See Luke 22:54-62.)

Paul was on a journey with an evil purpose. A shining star among the Pharisees. But after a life-altering experience with Jesus, he turned his life around. He turned from a persecutor of Christians to a preacher of Christ throughout the Roman Empire. (See Acts 8:1-24.)

The name of Jesus changes everything

I think we can learn from the author of Lamentations. When we end up on the wrong path, we can remind ourselves of the truth.

“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The LORD is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’” (Lamentations 3: 21-24 ESV).

Maybe we need to evaluate and turn from the path we’re on. Jesus will not leave us stuck. God’s mercies never end. A single encounter with Jesus can lead to significant change and hope. He welcomes sinners and gives us the means to change direction and move forward on the path He has for us. We can call on Jesus, the name that changes everything.

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