In a distant land, there was a great city known as Haven, ruled by a wise and merciful king. The road to Haven was long and winding, and many travelers sought its gates, for it was said that those who entered would find peace and purpose. But the path was narrow, and the king required that all who came must turn from their old ways and walk in truth.
Three travelers set out for Haven, each carrying burdens from their past. Their names were Confessor, Weeper, and Scholar, and they met at crossroads where a guide, sent by the king, awaited to lead them.
Confessor was the first to speak. He stood tall, his voice ringing with certainty. “I am bound for Haven,” he declared, “for I have proclaimed my loyalty to the king. I have told all who would listen that I am his servant, and I carry his name on my lips.” The guide looked at him gently and said, “Words are a beginning, but the king seeks more than proclamations. Will you lay down the pride that weighs you down and walk humbly toward Haven?”
Confessor hesitated. He had grown fond of his reputation, the way others admired him because of his bold declarations. But he clutched his burden tighter, unwilling to let it go, and continued down the road shouting the king’s name louder still, though his steps grew heavy.
Weeper came next, her face streaked with tears. “I am bound for heaven,” she cried, “for my heart aches for the king’s mercy. I feel the weight of my wrongs, and my sorrow is deep.” Her emotions poured out like a river, and the guide knelt beside her, his voice soft and kind. “The king made your heart to feel, and your tears are precious to him. But sorrow alone cannot carry you to Haven. Will you rise and turn from the paths that led you astray?”
Weeper nodded, but her grief was like a storm that kept her rooted in place. She sat by the road, mourning her past, unable to move forward, for she trusted only her emotions to guide her.
Scholar stepped forward last, his eyes sharp and his arms full of scrolls. “I am bound for Haven,” he said, “for I have studied the king’s laws and know the way. My mind is clear, and I understand the errors of my former life.” The guide smiled and replied, “The king gave you a mind to seek truth, and your knowledge is a gift. But understanding alone will not bring you to Haven’s gates. Will you let the king’s truth change your heart and your steps?”
Scholar frowned, reluctant to part with his scrolls. He trusted his intellect above all else and walked the road reciting the king’s laws, but his feet wandered, for knowledge without surrender led him in circles.
The guide watched them go, his heart heavy, for each had glimpsed the truth but clung to only part of it. Then, from the shadows, a fourth traveler emerged – a quiet figure named Seeker.
Seeker approached the guide, trembling but resolute. “I too wish to reach Haven,” Seeker said. “I have spoken of the king, but my words were empty. I have wept for my wrongs, but my tears did not change me. I have studied the king’s ways, but my knowledge left me proud. I see now that I must turn from my old paths entirely – words, heart, and mind together – and follow the king’s way.”
The guide’s face brightened. “You have seen the truth,” he said. “Repentance is not merely to speak, nor to feel, nor to know, but to turn fully to the king, letting his truth reshape every part of you.” Seeker laid down his burdens – his pride, fear, and self-reliance – and the guide walked with him toward Haven. Along the way, Seeker’s words became sincere, his tears bore fruit in action, and his knowledge grew into wisdom, for all were now aligned with the king’s heart.
When Seeker reached Haven’s gates, the king himself stood waiting. “Welcome,” he said, “for you have turned to me with all you are, and here you will find rest.”
Truth For Today
True repentance isn’t a single act, but a turning of one’s whole self toward God. It is not enough to confess faith with words, for proclamation without transformation is hollow. Nor is it enough to feel sorrow, for emotions, though God-given, must lead to action. Nor is it enough to understand Truth intellectually, for knowledge without surrender leads to pride. True repentance is the humble, ongoing choice to align our words, our hearts, and our minds with God’s will, trusting Him to reshape us as we walk His path.
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. – 2 Chronicles 7:14
Former Blackout Artist 