Maybe you have heard the story of the minister who tried to save money by watering down the paint he was using to paint the church building. After the job was done, he could see that it didn't look great at all and, as he stood there wondering what to do about it, a voice boomed from the heavens, "Repaint. And thin no more!".
I'm not sure that that is a true story :) but the image of a loud, angry voice calling us to behave differently is probably an accurate picture of how we often understand repentance. In truth, the invitation to repent is more like a call to come home; it is the welcome voice of One who called himself 'the way, the truth and the life' showing us the path to life (John 10:10).
As we begin this season of Lent, may you and I be listening for the gracious voice of God calling us to repent - to stay close and keep in step with Jesus as he leads us into life.