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T
UESDAY
IN
THE
O
CTAVE OF
E
ASTER
Acts of the Apostles 4:32-37
Psalm 93:1AB, 1CD-2, 5
John 3:7B-15
S
UMMARY
“The wind blows where it pleases; you can hear its
sounds, but you cannot tell where it comes from or
where it is going. So it is with everyone who is born
of the Spirit.” John 3:8
R
EFLECTION
John chapter 3 reveals a great deal about the Holy Trinity. In verse 7 Je-
sus reminds us that we must be born from above before we can fully ex-
perience the presence and power of God.
In the scripture reading, Nicodemus asks, “How is that possible?” In this
case the question refers to being born of the Spirit. At times I feel like the
very logical, analytical Nicodemus wanting to know how and (sometimes
continually) asking God for an explanation. I’ve questioned God repeat-
edly throughout my life with “Why God, Why?” I've whispered these words
in fleeting moments of doubt, questioned God in moments of defiant confi-
dence and cried out from an emotional and physical posture of complete
defeat. In contrast, I’ve asked God “Why” in times of complete joy and
contentment. Wanting to fully understand where I’m at, what I should
learn, and what is next.
Just as Jesus died for our sins without asking if we would accept his sacri-
fice, the influence of the Holy Spirit is offered to us without invitation. As
with many of us, there are times in my life I’ve felt closer or at a distance
from God. In both situations, I have found myself reaching for evidence
before opening my eyes are seeing the impacts of God in my life. While I
am no closer to understanding the path God has provided for me, I can be
swept away by the Spirit.
How often do we limit ourselves by demanding that things make sense to
our earthly minds, to the outside world, to our friends and family? The
question, “how is that possible?” becomes a limit in our fully experiencing
the impact of the Spirit.