On the roads of America, U-turns are a common driving maneuver. Likewise, in the Christian life, U-turns are a common (and necessary) maneuver. Before making a spiritual application (which will be obvious, no doubt, to all experienced U-turners), let’s consider some of the basic principles essential for making successful U-turns.
1. You must first realize that you’re headed in the wrong direction. If you don’t know you’re going the wrong way, you’d likely never turn around.
2. You must make the decision that you want to turn around. Just because someone realizes he is going in the wrong direction does not mean that he will actually change. A person must make up his mind to do it.
3. You must slow down and stop. Very few U-turns (if any) are successful at full speed. If you’re headed in the wrong direction, you need to stop. You haven’t turned yet, but you’ve stopped moving in the wrong direction.
4. You must initiate the turn. Steps 1-3 are great, but you’re still pointed in the wrong direction. If you do not initiate the turn yourself at this point (remembering that no one else can turn for you and the road will not turn underneath you), instead of a U-turn, you’ll have more of an l-turn.
5. You must make a complete turn. Once you start the turn, don’t stop short. Follow it all the way through. If you fail to make a complete turn, you’re still not pointed in the right direction and now you’re a sitting duck for oncoming traffic. A J-turn or an L-turn is not a U-turn!
6. You must complete and stop the turn. Once you have turned 180°, stop turning. You are now facing in the right direction. To turn too far can actually send you back in a wrong direction, making a U-turn into an O-turn or even an 8-turn.
In Matthew 21, there were two sons who made U-turns (one in the right direction and one in the wrong direction). Their father told them, “Go, work today in my vineyard” (21:28). The first son went the wrong direction, saying, “I will not,” and afterward repented and made a U-turn. We can do that, too!
Did you know that God allows U-turns? He doesn’t just allow them, He wants them and…He requires them. Read through these six principles for making successful U-turns. These not only apply to the roads of America, they apply to the Christian life. The “U” in U-turn not only indicates the reversal of direction, but it also emphasizes the one responsible—“U!”