Turning and Inflexion Points

Turning points and inflexion points are mathematical terms found in calculus.  Turning point has to do with a curve changing direction (from positive gradient to zero and then to negative gradient or vice versa). You can think of a simple quadratic curve such as y = x^2 or y = -x^2.  An inflexion point has to do with a curve moving in the same direction but experiencing a plateau at a certain period in the continuum.  A simple curve to illustrate this is y = x^3, where the plateau here has zero gradient, although there could be inflexion points where the gradient is non-zero.  Enough of mathematics, let's move on to talk about life's applications. 

In life, we all experience turning points.  When we are travelling in the wrong direction, having a Christless existence, an encounter with God can bring about a change in direction back to him.  Paul the apostle put it this way to the Corinthian Christians, "Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God."   1 Cor 6:9-11 (NASB).  We are not talking about an one-off sin that was committed but rather a habitual sin or permanent occupation of a person.  When the Corinthians turned to Christ, they gave up their carnal pursuits to follow a higher pursuit. 

The man with the legion of demons which we considered the other time is another good case in point.  He was living in a hellish existence without hope, doomed to destruction.  The turning point came when Jesus sought him out and graciously touched him.  He was so grateful to Christ that he wanted to follow Him wherever He goes.  But Christ told him to return to his own hometown to declare the great things God has done in his life (Mk 5:19).  Let us examine our own life's direction.  Have we lost our bearing in life in the pursuit of worldly things?  It time to make a U-turn and seek God's face while He may be found.

In life, we may also experience inflexion points.  In our Christian pilgrimage, we may come to a low point in life whereby we become discouraged or disillusioned or simply drifting aimlessly along.  Unless something happens, we may be on the verge of backsliding.  In such times, God may be gracious to allow us to experience His blessings, such as Pentecost, Azusa, Toronto and Pensacola, to renew and revive us.  All of us like God to be our 'blesser'.  However, more often than not, God speaks to us through pain and sorrow.  It is His megaphone to get our attention.  God allows sicknesses or calamities to afflict us to prove our devotion and loyalty to Him (like Job).  Or sicknesses allow God's children to enforce Christ's victory on earth when they go and minister to those in need of healing.  When the love of God is seen and felt by the sick who may be pre-believers, it may be their turning point in life.  For the believers, it may be their inflexion point to trust God more. 

The righteous of the Lord does not need turning or inflextion points.  They keep on advancing and grow stronger each day.  "The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day."  Pr 4:18 (NIV)