Journey to the Cross

Pause

The world is changing. When time passes between meetings, you see that friends and family are changing too.

And you are changing as well.

In these next moments, open your heart to God, who is seeking more than change in you, but transformation—something truly new.

Listen

"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." Nicodemus said to him, "How can these things be?" Jesus answered him, "Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?"

John 3:7–10

Think

I used to camp as a Girl Scout. Building a campfire was fun, but with it came a great deal of responsibility. Whenever we left the campsite, we had to make sure the fire was completely out. After breakfast one day we left for a hike only to return to the site and see that the fire had reignited. It was a windy day, and a gust of wind had sparked the dying embers, bursting the charred wood back to life. We had no idea the wind would make an appearance in our absence.

There’s a word in Greek, pneuma, which means both “spirit” and “wind.” When Jesus speaks of rebirth and new life, he is speaking of the elusive and mysterious power of the Spirit. There’s no telling when it will come or upon whom (or what) it will descend. Being born again isn’t something we can do; it happens through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Sharon Ely Pearson

Pray

Spirit of God, blow your wind upon me. Create in me new sparks to proclaim the Good News of Jesus in my words and actions. Amen.

Go

God's light is powerful, revealing
The way to new life,
A new birth by the power of the Spirit.

Walk into your day, then, with new questions
Received with infinite love,
Leading towards a life of righteousness.

God's steadfast care will provide.