Verse
[Jesus continued,] “The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.”
“How are these things possible?” Nicodemus asked.
Thought
As a young boy, I remember taking apart an old clock radio to figure out how it worked. I learned a great deal — including the importance of unplugging something like that before taking it apart! But, I can’t figure out the way the Spirit works on the hearts of men and women to bring them to Jesus and to give them new birth. I can see the changes in a person’s life. I can hear their confession of faith. I can watch them be baptized. But these are all the evidence of the greater reality that I cannot fully comprehend or explain — the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives to open their hearts to Jesus, surrender to him as Lord, to cleanse them of their sin, to live inside of them, and to include them in the family of God. However, I am thankful of two things in this regard: first, that Jesus said I couldn’t fully comprehend this, and second, I have repeatedly seen the Spirit make incredible differences in the lives of people. While you might not be able to teach an old dog new tricks, I know that the Holy Spirit can give anyone, young or old, new life!
Prayer
Thank you, dear God, for things beyond my ability to fully comprehend — things like your holiness, your grace, and your love. I am thankful today for the work of the Holy Spirit to bring new birth into the lives of people. I confess that I do not fully comprehend how all of this happens, but I do believe the Holy Spirit makes it happen. So thank you! Thank you for your mysteries and thank you for your gift of the Spirit. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Devotional provided by Heartlight®
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