The Call to Repentance and Renewal

The call to repentance is not about punishment but about renewal and transformation. God’s call is an invitation to turn toward new life and flourishing. So, my question for you to ponder during this sermon is: when was the last time you felt a prompting, a call, an encouraging plea from God to renew your soul from the stain of past or present actions that required a moment of repentance. 

The Joy of a Fresh Start

*Repentance is not a process of suffering, but rather the commencement of a transformative journey. There’s something exciting about a transformational fresh start. Whether it’s the beginning of a new project, an unexpected opportunity, or a shift in perspective, fresh starts carry hope and possibility. They remind us that life isn’t static, consequential actions don’t define you for eternity, for there’s always the chance for growth and change.

Repentance is God’s invitation to a fresh start. It’s not about punishment or shame; it’s about opening ourselves to transformation. Today’s scriptures invite us to turn toward that possibility. Luke 13 tells the parable of a fig tree, a story about second chances and new growth, while Isaiah 55 is a poetic call to receive what truly satisfies and seek the life God longs to give us.

The Parable of the Fig Tree

*In Luke 13, Jesus tells the story of a fig tree that hasn’t produced fruit for three years. The landowner, frustrated with the lack of results, is ready to cut it down. But the gardener steps in and pleads for more time: “Let it alone for one more year. I’ll dig around it and give it fertilizer. Maybe it will produce fruit next year.”

Friends, this parable isn’t about judgment or failure, it’s about possibility. The gardener sees potential in the fig tree that others have written off. Instead of giving up, the gardener commits to nurturing it and giving it space to thrive.

Real life stories of animals who are in the pound through owner surrender, running away, or being born in the wild, always touch my heart when you see the transformation, within the animal, from not feeling loved to finding their forever home. I look upon these animals as a beloved part of creation to God and for humanity to participate in a real life experience watching this animal act out in fear to give into a loving embrace of someone who still sees possibility and potential.

Jesus tells the fig parable in response to a previous question about suffering. When asked, earlier in the story, whether tragic events were punishments for sin, Jesus refuses to engage in the blame game. Instead, he redirects the conversation to transformation. He invites his listeners to examine their own lives, not through a lens of fear or guilt, but with an openness to change.

This same spirit of invitation is echoed in Isaiah 55: “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters… Seek the Lord while he may be found. Return to the Lord, and God will show compassion.” Isaiah’s words aren’t about condemnation; they’re a warm, open invitation to embrace life, to turn from what is destructive and move toward what is nourishing and life-giving.

Repentance as Transformation and Relational Growth

*In much of traditional theology, repentance is often portrayed as a transactional event, confess your sins, receive forgiveness, and move on. It becomes a legal process, a way to get right with God and avoid punishment. But when we view repentance through the lens of Process Theology and an open, relational understanding of God, something more profound emerges.

Repentance is not a transaction; it’s an ongoing relational process of growth and renewal. It’s not about turning away from something out of fear; it’s about turning toward something better, toward deeper relationship with God, with others, and with the truest version of ourselves.

In Process Theology, we understand God as a loving, ever-creating presence who works with us in every moment to bring about the best possible outcome. God isn’t distant or punitive but deeply involved in our lives, inviting us into partnership and transformation. Repentance, then, becomes a way to realign ourselves with that creative, life-giving flow. It’s about becoming more attuned to God’s possibilities for our lives.

Consider the parable of the fig tree. The gardener doesn’t see the unfruitful tree as a failure but as something with potential, something still worth investing in. That’s how God sees us. God is constantly nurturing us, calling us into something new, something alive. Every moment is an invitation to grow. When we respond to that call, we are participating in God’s ongoing work of creation and renewal.

Relational Growth through Repentance

*Repentance is ultimately relational. It’s about growing closer to God by allowing ourselves to be shaped by God’s love and creativity. This process involves several key movements: 

1. Honest Reflection: Repentance begins with recognizing where we’ve missed the mark, not as a source of shame but as a moment of clarity. God doesn’t condemn us in these moments; God meets us with compassion and invites us to name what’s broken or stuck.

2. Releasing What Holds Us Back: True transformation means letting go of things that hinder growth, old habits, harmful thought patterns, even relationships or behaviors that no longer reflect who God is calling us to be. Again, this isn’t about punishment; it’s about liberation.

3. Realigning with God’s Vision: Repentance is turning toward God’s vision for our lives, a vision rooted in love, justice, and flourishing for all. It’s about re-centering our lives around God’s values of compassion, generosity, and hope.

4. Deepening Connection: Each time we respond to God’s invitation, our relationship with God grows deeper. Repentance softens our hearts and opens us to receive God’s grace more fully. We begin to see the world differently, with eyes of love and possibility. We may even begin to see and experience this relational God for the first time in our lives

God’s Relational Presence in Every Moment

*What’s especially beautiful in this relational understanding of God is that God never gives up on us. God doesn’t just offer one moment of repentance and then move on; God continually invites us to grow.

Think of how relationships in our lives grow and change, how forgiveness, reconciliation, and vulnerability deepen trust and connection. That’s what God is doing with us, over and over. Every time we turn toward God, we’re strengthening that bond. And in doing so, we’re also more open to relationship with others. Repentance becomes a way of expanding our capacity to love and be loved.

Repentance and Co-Creation

*In relational theology, we also talk about co-creation with God. We are not passive recipients of God’s grace; we are active participants in bringing about the kingdom of God. Repentance is part of that creative work. When we repent, we align ourselves with God’s ongoing creative activity in the world. We become co-creators of new possibilities, for ourselves, our relationships, and our communities. 

Isaiah 55 captures this beautifully: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)

This isn’t a statement of God’s distance from us but an invitation to trust God’s expansive, creative imagination. Repentance opens us to the greater possibilities God has in mind, possibilities far beyond what we can envision on our own. These possibilities are put into action through trustworthy people whom have responded to God’s motivation to be a light shining on a hill.

Renewal in Everyday Life

*We see this kind of transformation in everyday life. A struggling business reinvents itself, trying something new and discovering a better way forward. What seemed like a failure turns into a fresh start. A family decides to change how they communicate. After years of unhealthy patterns, they choose to listen more, speak with kindness, and slowly rebuild their relationships. What once felt broken begins to heal.

Renewal takes courage and persistence. It doesn’t happen overnight, but with time and care, change is always possible. Just like the fig tree or the scared animal, there are moments when we need extra time and attention, moments when God works with us patiently, helping us to grow in ways we never thought possible.

Embracing God’s Invitation to Grow

*So what does this look like in your life? Are there areas where you feel stuck or stagnant? Is there a relationship that needs healing or a part of your life that needs renewal? God’s invitation is always open. Repentance is a way of turning toward that new life. It’s a chance to reflect, realign, and step into the future God is calling you toward.

Here are some practical steps you can take this week: Spend time in self-reflection and prayer. Ask God to reveal areas in your life that need renewal. Be honest with yourself. What’s holding you back from growth? Take one small step, whether it’s seeking forgiveness, letting go of a harmful habit, or embracing a practice that brings life. As we close, I invite you to pray with me, a prayer for courage to embrace the fresh start God offers, a prayer for open hearts and willing spirits.