A Time to Return to God

Lent Calls Us Back to God with Sincerity and Humility

“Return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” — Joel 2:12

There are seasons in life when we slowly drift. Not necessarily into open rebellion, but into distraction. Prayer becomes shorter. Worship becomes routine. The Bible gathers dust. Our hearts grow quiet where once they burned with devotion.

Lent comes as a gracious invitation: Come back.

It is not a season of condemnation. It is a season of restoration.

The Heart of God’s Call

The words in the book of Book of Joel were spoken to a people who had wandered spiritually. Yet God’s message was not merely about judgment—it was about return.

“Return to me with all your heart…”

Notice the emphasis: the heart. God is not primarily interested in outward performance but inward surrender. He is not seeking religious activity; He is seeking relationship.

The following verse declares:

“Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.” — Joel 2:13

Lent reminds us that repentance is not about tearing clothes in shame. It is about opening the heart in humility.

Repentance Is the Pathway to Renewal

Many people misunderstand repentance. They see it as punishment or humiliation. But in Scripture, repentance is a gift.

The story of the prodigal son in the Gospel of Luke beautifully illustrates this truth. When the son returned home in brokenness, the father did not reject him. He ran toward him. He embraced him. He restored him.

This is the heart of our Heavenly Father.

Repentance does not push God away—it draws Him near.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” — 1 John 1:9

Forgiveness is not earned. It is received.

When We Feel Spiritually Dry

There are times when faith feels distant. Prayer feels mechanical. Worship feels empty. You may feel spiritually dry, distracted, or far from God.

Lent says: This is your moment to reset.

Spiritual dryness is not a sign that God has left. Often, it is a gentle signal that we need to return.

King David understood this after his own season of failure. In the Book of Psalms, he prayed:

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” — Psalm 51:10

Restoration begins with honesty. It grows through humility. It flourishes in surrender.

God specializes in restoration.

The Purpose of Fasting, Weeping, and Mourning

Joel speaks of fasting, weeping, and mourning. These are not acts meant to impress others. They are expressions of sincere longing for God.

Fasting reminds us that we hunger for God more than for comfort.

Weeping acknowledges that sin truly grieves the heart.

Mourning reflects our desire for change.

In Lent, these practices are not ends in themselves—they are tools that lead us back to intimacy with God.

Even Jesus emphasized inward devotion over outward display in the Gospel of Matthew, teaching that fasting and prayer should be done in secret, before the Father who sees.

True repentance is quiet, personal, and transformative.

No Matter How Far You’ve Drifted

One of the enemy’s greatest lies is this: You’ve gone too far.

But Scripture consistently reveals a different truth: God’s arms remain open.

The cross stands as eternal proof that restoration is always possible. Through Christ’s sacrifice, the door back to the Father is never locked.

As Paul writes in the Second Epistle to the Corinthians:

“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come.” — 2 Corinthians 5:17

Lent prepares our hearts to celebrate this newness fully. It leads us from repentance to resurrection hope.

How to Return During Lent

If you desire to return to God sincerely, consider these steps:

1. Examine Your Heart

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas where you have drifted.

2. Confess Honestly

Name your sins before God. Do not excuse them. Trust His mercy.

3. Fast Intentionally

Give up something meaningful—not to suffer, but to refocus.

4. Pray Deeply

Spend time not only speaking to God but listening.

5. Restore What Was Neglected

Return to Scripture, worship, fellowship, and service.

These are not religious checklists—they are relational pathways.

A Season of Hope

Lent is not a dark season. It is a hopeful one.

It reminds us that:

• Brokenness can become beauty.

• Failure can become forgiveness.

• Distance can become intimacy again.

God does not call us back to shame us. He calls us back to heal us.

The invitation still stands:

“Return to me with all your heart…”

Today can be your turning point.

Today can be your reset.

Today can be your return.

Because the God who calls you back is gracious, compassionate, and rich in love—and His arms are still open.