REPENT [ri-pent] verb. To turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one's life; to feel regret or contrition; to change one's mind.
When we repent, we turn and run away from something -- namely sin.
Running from something causes it to recede into the distance until it finally fades away, and what we are running toward becomes closer and clearer -- namely God.
The Christian life consists of this striving.