Born of the Spirit, Called to Go

Soul Rest Devotional (2nd Week of Lent)

John 3:3; Genesis 12:1–4

In John 3 we meet Nicodemus, a respected teacher, a Pharisee, and a member of the Jewish ruling council. He was knowledgeable, moral, and deeply religious—yet something in him remained unsettled. So he came to Jesus at night, searching for answers.

Night in John’s Gospel often represents spiritual uncertainty. Nicodemus was curious but cautious—interested, but not yet fully surrendered. Many people today share the same experience: faithful in practice, yet still longing for deeper spiritual life.

Jesus went straight to the heart of the matter:

“Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” (John 3:3)

That word unless is striking. It introduces a non-negotiable condition. Human effort, religious knowledge, or moral discipline cannot produce spiritual life. Jesus explains, “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to Spirit.” Life lived only by human strength cannot bring the transformation God desires. True new life comes only through the Spirit.

Confused, Nicodemus asks the question many of us ask: “How can this be?”

In another part of Scripture, Abraham could have asked the same question. In Genesis 12, God calls Abram to leave his homeland and go to a land He would show him. God promises blessing, descendants, and a great future—but Abram is elderly and childless, with no map or clear explanation of what lies ahead.

Yet Scripture simply says: “So Abram went.”

Nicodemus wanted understanding before surrender. Abram moved forward in trust.

Both stories teach us something important: God’s promises cannot be fulfilled by human strength alone. Just as Nicodemus needed spiritual rebirth, Abram needed God’s power to fulfil the promise.

Jesus compares the Spirit to the wind—moving freely and mysteriously. Life in the Spirit often means trusting God even when we cannot see the whole path.

Perhaps today you are asking your own questions:

·       How can my life change now?

·       How can God use me at this stage?

·       How can God fulfil His promises?

Jesus says: Be born of the Spirit.Genesis says: Go.

When the Spirit breathes new life within us, faith rises—and we find the courage to step into the future God is calling us toward.

Prayer

Lord, breathe Your Spirit into my life. Renew my heart, strengthen my faith, and give me courage to follow wherever You lead. Amen.

The Reverend Joy Mayisiri