"Even now," declares the Lord, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning." Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. Joel 2:12-13 The verse emphasizes "even now." Despite your sins, despite the shame you carry, even with your unfamiliarity with me, and in the face of my impending judgment, I call you to "return to me." Come back with all your shattered fragments. Come back with your history of brokenness. Even if you're uncertain about me, still come back to me, but do so with fasting and weeping. This way, I will truly perceive your earnest and humble hunger for me. I want to remind you that, no matter what, "Even Now," God desires you. And nothing can alter this truth.
