Living Outloud: when Repentance gets real
Repentance is one of those words we nod along to in church but quietly hope God doesn’t bring up at lunch. It’s easy to admire from a safe distance—like watching someone else run a marathon and thinking, Good for them. But when Joel steps onto the scene with his prophetic megaphone, he doesn’t let us stay in the bleachers. God speaks in Joel 2:12, “Tear your hearts, not just your garments.”
In other words: Don’t just look repentant. Be repentant.
In ancient Israel, tearing your clothes was the big, dramatic sign of grief or humility. Everyone could see it. Everyone knew something serious was happening. But God wasn’t impressed with the theatrics then, and He’s not impressed with our modern versions now. Our “garments” today aren’t linen robes—they’re curated Instagram vulnerability, spiritual-sounding disclaimers, and church calendars packed so full we never have to sit still long enough to be confronted.
Joel’s message is blunt because mercy is urgent. The time to return is always now.
The Subtle Ways We Fake It
Most of us don’t intentionally perform repentance. We just drift into it because the outward stuff is easier than the inward surrender.
A few modern examples hit a little too close to home:
Saying “I’ll pray about it,” but never actually wrestling with God—just tossing Him a polite nod.
Posting a heartfelt confession online, then living exactly the same offline.
Crying during worship but silencing conviction when Scripture gets uncomfortably specific.
Serving every Sunday so we never have to sit under the sermon that might expose us.
Apologizing with loopholes—“I’m sorry you felt hurt”—instead of owning the harm.
These things feel spiritual, but they keep our hearts insulated from the Spirit. Joel isn’t calling us to feel more. He’s calling us to surrender more.
Start With One Specific Thing
Real repentance is never vague. “God, I’m sorry for everything” sounds humble but rarely changes anything. Joel pushes us to ask a sharper question:
What is the one thing God has been highlighting?
Not the whole list. Not the general vibe. The one step you’ve been avoiding.
And once you see it, repentance becomes very practical:
Invite accountability you’ll actually listen to.
Change the inputs that keep feeding the temptation.
Restructure your rhythms so prayer comes before opinions.
Budget attention for Scripture that challenges you, not just comforts you.
Dramatic moments at the altar can be beautiful, but they don’t build new roads. Daily faithfulness does. The real test of repentance isn’t the tears you shed—it’s the choices you make in the car ride home and the calendar you keep the next day.
Repentance Is Rooted in God’s Character, Not Your Willpower
Joel doesn’t say, “Return to the Lord because you should know better.” He says:
Return to the Lord because He is gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, and overflowing with love.
Repentance isn’t crawling back to a disappointed judge. It’s returning to a Father who runs toward you.
Even practices like fasting, weeping, and mourning aren’t religious stunts. They’re embodied prayers—ways of lowering our defenses so grace can actually reach the places we’ve been guarding.
Fasting quiets the impulses that normally run the show.
Weeping acknowledges the real weight of sin.
Mourning refuses to minimize what needs to change.
These aren’t performances. They’re postures.
Close the Loop: From Confession to Transformation
Confession is the starting line, not the finish line. To actually change, we have to close the loop:
Speak the truth, then submit to the truth.
Name the sin, then name the next faithful step.
Trade dramatic vows for steady humility.
Replace “God’s still working on me” with “Here’s how I’m cooperating with Him this week.”
Let trusted friends ask for receipts of obedience, not just intentions.
And when you fail, return quickly. When you succeed, give thanks. Over time, the outward acts will match the inward shift—not because you’re performing better, but because your heart is actually turning.
Joel’s message isn’t anti-expression. It’s anti-camouflage.
Tear the heart first. Let the garments follow.
