Clean About-Face

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Proverbs 15:24 (from The Message Version)

“Life ascends to the heights for the thoughtful—it’s a clean about-face from descent into hell.”

I used to love watching Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.

Sergeant Carter would stand there, chest out, face tight, and bark:

“AH-BOOUUTT…FACE!”

And everybody would snap around.

Well…almost everybody.

Gomer would turn the wrong way, smile that big goofy innocent smile, and say something like:

“SHAAAAM!”

Those of you who remember the show can already hear it in your head. Those who don’t, go find a clip. It’s worth it.

But that command came back to me when I read Proverbs 15:24:

“Life ascends to the heights for the thoughtful—it’s a clean about-face from descent into hell.”

A clean about-face.

Not a slow shuffle.

Not turning halfway and still looking over your shoulder.

A settled decision.

A new direction.

Sometimes we try to change by white-knuckling our way out of a habit.

“I’m not doing that again.”

“I’m not going back there.”

“I’m going to grip tighter, pray harder, and force myself not to fail.”

But all that pressure can keep our attention locked on the very thing we’re trying to escape.

A clean about-face works differently.

You don’t keep wrestling with the old direction.

You turn.

You release it.

You open yourself to what is ahead.

Thoughtfulness gives you enough pause to ask:

“Where is this taking me?”

And once you see the descent, wisdom gives the command:

“A-BOUT…FACE!”

A tiny change in direction can create a completely different destination.

An airplane lifts its nose only a few degrees, and before long, it is thousands of feet above where it started.

That is the power of a thoughtful turn.

You don’t always need more strength.

Sometimes you need a cleaner decision.

Stop staring at the road that keeps taking you down.

Turn toward life.

Turn toward peace.

Turn toward the version of you that is no longer negotiating with destruction.

Every ascent begins with an about-face.

🔥 REMEMBER

You don’t always need more strength. Sometimes you need direction.

🙏🏽 PRAYER

Lord, help me turn cleanly toward life and wisdom today.

🎯 TODAY’S CHALLENGE

Notice one place where you have been white-knuckling change. Instead of only resisting the old habit, choose one clear action that turns you toward something healthier.

About the Author

Fred Lynch is a creative communicator, author, and Christian Hip Hop pioneer. To learn more about Fred and what he’s up to now…click here or you can find him in all the socials by searching the handle: heyfredlynch

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