“Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews…came to Jesus by night.”
My friend Bill Rowley is the Director of the Masters in Counseling department at Seattle Pacific University. He is a trained marriage and family therapist. One day I asked him, “What is the hardest part of therapy for your patients?”
He said, “The first step into my office is usually the toughest. If they are willing to begin the process of healing they are well on their way to being born again.” This “born again” moment for Dr. Rowley’s clients marks a new beginning. But for many it feels like a step into the night, a journey to darkness.
You know, it is probably time for us to revisit that phrase “born again.” For too long it has been used as a code for the end of a process. “Are you born again? Yes? Good.” End of discussion.
When Jesus uses the phrase he is not describing the end of a process but is instead describing a new beginning. Being born again or born anew or born from above —– my favorite —– is Jesus’ way of saying it is time to begin again, to start over, and to become curious about your life and where you may need to mature. This conversation between Nicodemus and Jesus is one that is also between Jesus and us. Jesus wants you and me to look at our lives and ask, “What needs attention? Are you desperate for a new beginning?”
This is a pretty daunting conversation. However, it is one that can lead to a new spirit, a new day, a new life even.
Is this easy to do? No, not at all. Whether we are talking about the renewal of your faith life or dreaming about our congregation’s ministry, the first step toward a new day is always the toughest.
Dr. R. Glen Miles, Senior Minister
