Born of Water and Spirit
By Barbara Carter, Council of Twelve Apostles
Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” -John 3:5-8 NRSV
Have you ever shared a true personal experience and no one believed you? At first, there may be an awkwardness surrounding you because you are left trying to convince them of the truth of the story. Even if the doubter begins to believe your story, there is a residual after-presence of skepticism. If this has happened to you, did you entrust them to more of your story-or move on to a topic of conversation that was safer and less revealing?
Jesus has been sharing his story. And the religious leaders don’t believe him. They don’t just walk away shaking their heads in disbelief; they quiz him on the law and try to entrap him with their questions.
Jesus doesn’t walk away shaking his head in disbelief either. Instead, he lays it out in the simplest language he knows: God loves you so much that God sent me to tell you about God’s life-giving love. AND, God wants the entire world to know of God’s life-giving love.
Now we can share the story. There could be an awkwardness surrounding you when you share it. I suggest that we keep it simple and pure…God so loved the world-that means you.
Prayer Phrase
God, may my deep hope align with your deep vision. Release in me anything that keeps me from freely following your Spirit. Amen.
Invitation to Spiritual Practice
Spiritual Freedom
Breathe deeply as you enter a time of silence. Become gently attentive to what may be restricting you from faithfully responding to the divine invitation in your life. Are there priorities, attachments, tasks, or motivations competing for your response? What does freedom for God look or feel like in you this day?
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.