I’ve been thinking a lot about these two words and what they mean beyond their recent cultural definitions.  As a result of current events, many find themselves at a crossroads in their faith.

Over the next few days, I will blog about the questions that arise from these happenings.   I’m not interested in leaning into the Turning Point organization and what it means for us currently or politically.  I am more interested in the definition of the two words “turning point” in the life of a believer in Jesus Christ.  

Here are some questions I will seek to answer in the coming posts. 

What is a turning point? How does a turning point become a turning point? How does one make sure the turning point remains a turning point? 

What is a turning point?

We all need turning points in our lives.   Sometimes these are physical turning points, and other times they are social/emotional. 

A decision to take one’s health seriously, or a response to a diagnosis of a disease or illness, can be a turning point physically. 

A new beginning of a friendship, an addition to the family, or joining a church are examples of social turning points. 

I believe the most significant turning point in a person’s life is spiritual. What lies beyond that kind of turning point is a life purpose connected with the eternal God.  

For believers in Christ, the most critical turning point is acknowledging they are sinners and receiving forgiveness from Jesus Christ. Through the inward and outward working of the Holy Spirit, they experience new life and new purpose. We have words to describe this process, such as regeneration/conversion, sanctification/growing as a disciple of Jesus, and glorification/the ultimate state of the eternal end for believers in Christ beyond the grave.  These come about through confession, repentance, and a commitment to following Jesus daily. 

If you have not experienced this kind of turning point in your life, let me encourage you to pause and to reflect upon the state of your soul before God. 

Consider reflecting on these New Testament verses: Romans 3:23, 6:23, 5:8, John 3:16, and 10:9-10. 

After taking time for this kind of reflection, call out to him today if you have not had a spiritual turning point where you have turned your life over to God by placing your faith and trust in Jesus Christ for salvation! 

This is the greatest turning point and awakening in any person’s life. This kind of turning point reaches deeper into a person’s soul and further into a person’s future than any other turning point. It must be first! 

Decide to receive Christ as your Lord and Savior today! Experience the greatest turning point of all.

We have been given a gift to exercise our will and decide to receive God’s rich provision in Christ. I encourage you to engage with this divinely bestowed faculty of will concerning God’s gracious gift of Jesus today (Eph. 2:8-10).  

Consider the words of Soren Kierkegaard, a theologian, poet, and philosopher who lived from 1813 to 1855. 

“Can there be something in life that has power over us which little by little causes us to forget all that is good? And can this ever happen to anyone who has heard the call of eternity quite clearly and strongly?

“If this can ever be, then one must look for a cure against it. Praise be to God that such a cure exists – to quietly make a decision. A decision joins us to the eternal. It brings what is eternal into time. A decision raises us with a shock from the slumber of monotony. A decision breaks the magic spell of custom. A decision breaks the long row of weary thoughts. A decision pronounces its blessing upon even the weakest beginning, as long as it is a real beginning. Decision is the awakening to the eternal.”

Soren Kierkegaard, Dare to Decide