Is there anything more promising, more hopeful than the birth of a child? In the cradle, the world is alive with possibility.
The same God who birthed the world into existence, and all the promise that is held by creation, is still at work bringing new life through the Spirit.
Prepare yourself now for the possibility of your own renewed birth, for the assurance of something new.
Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works."
John 14:8-10
Have you ever been around a baby when they were learning how to act like a person? They mimic what they hear and see the people around them say and do. It’s amazing how babies will pick up accents and habits just by watching their parents!
In the same way, the children of God learn how they are supposed to act by watching their spiritual Parent. When Philip asked Jesus to show them “the Father,” he was on the right track!
What Jesus explained to Philip, however, was that he didn’t need a heavenly vision to learn from God – Jesus IS God! Even two thousand years later, God’s Spirit helps us understand what Jesus did and taught so that we can “grow up” looking like our spiritual Parent.
Rebecca Poe Hays
Dear God, I want to grow up looking like you. I want to speak the words that you want me to speak and do the things that you want me to do. Please help me to learn from your Spirit. Amen.
The sun gives rise to the newness of every day.
The moon and stars provide just enough light
To remind us of tomorrow.
The Spirit of God is at work in every moment,
So walk in whatever light you have,
Giving birth to the promise of God in you.