The Power of Being Born Again: Water Spirit

The Power of Being Born Again: Water Spirit

Have you ever felt a deep thirst in your soul? A longing for something more, something transformative that could fill the God-shaped vacuum within you? This spiritual thirst is universal, and the good news is that there's a wellspring of living water waiting to quench it.

The concept of being "born again" is often misunderstood or oversimplified. It's not just about a mental assent to certain beliefs or even a public declaration of faith. It's about a profound, life-altering experience that involves water spirit.

Let's dive into this rich metaphor. When a baby is born, there's a moment when the waters break, signaling the imminent arrival of new life. But it's not until that first breath is drawn that we truly celebrate. Similarly, in our spiritual lives, there's a cleansing that must occur - a breaking of the waters, if you will - followed by the breath of new life from the Spirit of God.

This dual nature of spiritual rebirth was beautifully foretold by the prophet Ezekiel:

"I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean... I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees." (Ezekiel 36:25-27)

Notice the progression: cleansing water, a new spirit, and then the indwelling of God's own Spirit. This isn't just about making us holy for holiness' sake. It's about preparing a clean vessel for God's presence to inhabit and work through.

Jesus himself emphasized this truth in his nighttime conversation with Nicodemus, a learned religious leader who struggled to grasp the concept of spiritual rebirth. "Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit," Jesus declared (John 3:5). It's not enough to be merely washed; we must also be filled and animated by the breath of God.

This brings us to a powerful scene described in John's Gospel. Picture this: It's the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles, a joyous celebration where for seven days, a priest would draw water from a sacred pool and pour it out at the temple amid singing and rejoicing. But on this final, climactic day, no water is drawn. Instead, Jesus stands up and cries out in a voice that cuts through the crowd:

"Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them." (John 7:37-38)

What an astounding offer! Jesus isn't just promising a sip to quench momentary thirst. He's offering an overflowing, life-giving stream that will not only satisfy our deepest longings but also pour out to bless others.

This invitation echoes through time, reaching out to each of us today. It's not reserved for a select few or only for those who feel worthy. It's for anyone who recognizes their spiritual thirst and is willing to come to Jesus in faith.

But here's where many of us get stuck. We might intellectually assent to these truths. We might even take steps of faith, like baptism, symbolizing that cleansing of water. But do we fully embrace and experience the infilling of God's Spirit? Do we allow ourselves to be not just washed, but truly born anew, drawing that first spiritual breath that animates us with divine life?

The story of Blaise Pascal, the brilliant 17th-century mathematician and philosopher, illustrates the transformative power of this spiritual rebirth. Despite his keen intellect and religious background, Pascal experienced a profound encounter with God that he described as "Fire! Fire!" For two intense hours, he was overwhelmed by the presence of the living God, leaving him with an unshakable certainty, joy, and peace.

Pascal's experience reminds us that knowing about God is not the same as knowing God intimately. It's the difference between studying a map and actually walking the terrain, between reading about love and falling in love yourself.

So, what does this mean for us today? It means that no matter where we are in our spiritual journey, there's more. More cleansing, more filling, more life-giving power available to us. It means that if we've been trying to live the Christian life on our own strength, relying on willpower and good intentions, we're missing out on the supernatural empowerment that God wants to provide.

Here's a challenging question: Are you fully born? Have you experienced both the cleansing of water and the infilling of the Spirit? Or are you, perhaps, like a baby not yet drawn its first breath - cleansed but not yet fully alive?

The good news is that you don't have to wait. You don't have to spend years or decades in a spiritual wilderness before experiencing the fullness of God's presence. The invitation Jesus gave at that feast long ago still stands: "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink."

Today, right where you are, you can respond to that invitation. You can acknowledge your thirst, your need for something more than what you've experienced so far. You can ask God not just to cleanse you, but to fill you to overflowing with His Spirit.

Imagine what your life could look like if rivers of living water were flowing from within you. Imagine the impact you could have on those around you if you were fully alive in Christ, empowered by His Spirit.

This is the life God intends for you. Not a half-born existence, but a vibrant, Spirit-filled life that overflows with love, joy, peace, and power. Will you embrace it? Will you allow yourself to be born again, not just of water, but of water and Spirit?

The wellspring is waiting. The breath of God is ready to fill your lungs. All that's left is for you to come, believe, and receive.