"From that time Jesus began to preach,
and to say, Repent:  for the
kingdom of heaven is at hand."
- Matthew 4:17

I don't have as much time for them now...

...but I have always enjoyed playing video games.

From our first Atari set back in the early '80's to Nintendo to Playstation, I've always enjoyed playing video games.  Whether I was playing against a friend or the computer, it didn't really matter.  I just like being challenged.  I just like the competition.

Now, there is a  race car game that I play from time to time with my wife that I find particularling entertaining.  Oh, it's not the game itself, it's more of the game's response to how my wife plays it. :-)

My wife will be the first to admit that video games aren't her thing.  She plays with me reluctantly, at best.  And her hands and eyes don't move at the same speed, especially on a fast-paced game like this racing one.

So, invariably, about midway through the second lap, she pushes the wrong button the wrong way and her car will spin around.  My wife, not quite knowing what to do, continues to press the "gas" button even though the car is pointed in the wrong direction.

It's at this point that I get my entertainment for the day as the game's commentator calls out from the tv screen, "Turn Around.  You're heading in the wrong direction." 

We always get a good laugh.  My wife manages to turn the car around and gets going correctly down the road.  She, of course, repeats this process several times before the race is complete.

You know, I'm reminded that there is another race going on.  Paul calls the Christian life a race.  And, let's be real honest this morning, sometimes we get ourselves turned around and heading in the wrong ways, don't way?

Fortunately, we've got the Holy Spirit, our Great Commentator, to speak to our hearts during these times...

..."Turn around.  You're heading in the wrong direction."

You see, that's one of the roles the Holy Spirit plays.  He warns us when we have turned in a direction that is contrary to God's will.  He desires to see us turn ourselves around and get going correctly down the straight and narrow road.  And, of course, this process is repeated throughout our lives, perhaps many times before the race is complete.

What about it, Christian?  Are you traveling on the straight and narrow today?  Or is there, perhaps, some sin that has you turned around?  Maybe there is some difficulty or hardship that has caused you to stray from the Lord's will for your life.  Whatever your situation, if you feel that you aren't going the way God intends, listen closely this morning and I'm sure you'll hear the Holy Spirit whisper to your heart...

..."Turn around.  You're heading in the wrong direction."