Political U turns are repeatedly given bad press. In the UK, Sir Keir Starmer has made 13 such changes of mind in his 18 months as prime minister. These took between a few weeks and over a year. American President Trump is also well-known for U turns, to the extent that he is now associated with the acronym TACO (Trump Always Chickens Out). While admitting a mistake can be honorable, many people question the integrity of leaders who keep changing their decisions and resolves about important policy.

Jesus Christ never made any U turns. This is because he never made any mistakes. He did not need to change his mind. The same is not true of the rest of us. One of the most famous and important U turns in history is that of the apostle Paul, who was originally called Saul. This important Jewish religious leader was initially intent on eradicating Christianity.

But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem (Acts 9:1-2).

This was after he had consented to the murder of the first Christian martyr, Stephen (Acts 7). But on the way to Damascus Saul saw the risen Jesus, believed, was baptized, and became one of the most significant preachers of Christianity. A complete U turn (Acts 9:20-22).

The biblical word ‘repentance’ effectively means a ‘U turn’. Jesus and the apostles told people that if they wanted to please God they must ‘repent’.

Jesus preached:
…the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel (Mark 1:15).

After a local disaster, he said strong words:
…I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish (Luke 13:3).

The apostles repeated the message:
Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out (Acts 3:19).

Repentance means admitting being wrong and then changing one’s attitude, priorities and lifestyle. We are all commanded to repent: to do a massive U turn. Left to our own thoughts and standards we are without hope. We need to accept God’s standards. And it does not matter if we are young or old; if we have spent a long or short time going in the wrong direction; or even how bad that way was. The important thing is, like Saul, to change and do a U turn.

But having done this, a subsequent U turn would be disastrous. Jesus also said:
…No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God (Luke 9:62).

Having committed to following Jesus, repented and been baptized (Acts 2:38) it would be fatal to do a U turn on that decision and resolve (Hebrews 10:37-39).

Finally, we need to be immensely grateful that God does not do a U turn on His offer of eternal life.

For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable (Romans 11:29).

Whether or not they do U turns, no human leader can be trusted totally. Let us do a U turn and follow Jesus because he is utterly faithful and trustworthy.