I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee. Isaiah 44:22

Recently, my friend Rachel Loop and I had ourselves a little adventure on our way to a retreat. Arriving well after sundown, we were making our way through a secluded, wooded, unfamiliar area to find the lodge. With no GPS or phone signal, we drove through what appeared to be a dried out river bed after crossing an eroding bridge. With each turn, we both became increasingly confident that we might be the subjects of a future 48 Hours episode. When we could finally see the lights of the lodge, we celebrated. And the drive home in the daylight was a piece of cake!

At that retreat, a devotion was given about returning. Did you know that the word "return" is used more than 400 times in the Bible? Over and over, the Lord reminds us that He longs for our return. Revival in our lives begins with repenting and returning. How beautiful to consider that when we repent, we turn away from our sin and turn back toward God - the act of returning. Like Rachel and I experienced, the return journey is light and peace and life.

Lord, why do I always wait so long to return? You've made it so simple and freeing. 

Lori C.

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