As we gratefully process the mercy and grace of God (and see how they are perfectly united in Christ) it invites us to think about repentance. God’s “kindness leads us to repentance” (Rom. 2:4). We come humbly to the foot of the cross because Jesus gave Himself up for us.
This infinite mercy and grace calls us to deep and ongoing repentance – a life of putting off the old self and putting on the new self.
“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you… Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience” (Col. 3:5,12).
The Greatest Showman presents a somewhat fanciful version of the life of P.T. Barnum. It begins with his childhood desire to build a life of joy and wonder with the girl he loved. It builds through the challenges of opening a circus and sees Barnum lose his way, drawn from his wife and daughters into the seductive light of fortune and fame.
In a sudden moment of clarity Barnum remembers “what all this was for” and commits to change his ways for good in the powerful anthem, From Now On. Check out this inspiring musical picture of deep and thorough repentance: