“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.”
Genesis 1:1-2 (NIV)

God is a change agent. He started with this formless void of darkness we call our earth. For God, change is an opportunity for new creation. God is always saying, “Let there be.” He speaks into our life a continuous and sweeping motion of conversion and transformation by way of “His Spirit” or “Ruach Elohim” (Hebrew translation). How can we doubt the power of God to transform us? After all, didn’t He create the heavens and earth? 

From our early readings in Genesis we see this world of chaos that leads to the fall of man. This downfall is due to free-will choices and departure from God. Disorder and chaos looms constantly. Yet without this chaos we may never fully appreciate the pathway to redemption and the new beginnings that we all desperately seek. The reconciliation begins the moment we are in Christ. Do we choose to continue our self-destructive habits? Do we attempt to be a part-time Christian? Do we need to approach God in meekness as a child?

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NRSV)

He was a fast runner who represented his country at the Olympics. Later he joined the military only to have his plane shot down at sea. At sea he and his crew survived 47 days drifting and escaping death, only to be captured and brutalized at a notorious enemy POW camp. While clinging to a life raft, he prayed for one of the first times in his life: “God, if I survive this ordeal and get back to America alive, I’ll seek You and serve You.”

Louie Zamperini was a man who faced numerous obstacles of which he had no control. The chaos of war enveloped his early life, leaving him scarred. Back home he desperately needed a change for a new life as he struggled to reconnect with family due to self-inflicted mistakes. Are you facing seemingly insurmountable issues caused by your self-absorbed sins? Are you alienating your family and friends?

The enduring word of God along with the Holy Spirit have regenerative power to make us a new creation in Christ. 

“In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures.”
James 1:18 (NRSV) 

He was a scholarly pharisee and prominent member of the Sanhedrin made of the same cloth as those that would later persecute Jesus. He was a spiritually perceptive person and he sensed something different about Jesus. Yet he was careful not to be openly seen with Jesus for fear of being outcast. As he secretly conversed with Jesus, he learned that to see the kingdom of God he needed to be “born anew” by water and Spirit. 

Nicodemus was seeking but not quite committing to Christ as the other disciples had. Do you find yourself not committing 100% to Christ so you do not offend your friends or family?

“Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?’ Jesus answered, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.’”
John 3:4-5 (NRSV)

We all benefit from these small moments of rebirth scattered throughout our lifetime that sustain our faith journey.

Several young AUMCers decided to make a change in their life by investing quite a bit of time to learn what it means to be a member of Christ’s church. During these challenging times saying yes to Christianity is not at the top of the list for most young people. Our foundation for building young disciples is being challenged by the multitude of other things occupying their time. Yes, some are important but when the last slot to fill on a weekly schedule is church, it is no longer a priority.

These confirmands took the initiative to learn what God has in store for them by clearing their schedules to make room for Christ. Are you freeing up space for time with God or does your busy schedule crowd Him out?

^“And he said: ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.’”
Matthew 18:3-4 (NRSV)

As Christians we have an opportunity for new beginnings that takes its genesis from the moment we accept Christ. 

Christ found Louie Zamperini at a Billy Graham revival that he reluctantly attended. “Of all my near-death experiences my life never passed before my eyes,” he said. “But when Billy Graham quoted scripture my life did pass before my eyes.” Louie remembered that prayer he had said to God while clinging to a life raft. He went on to evangelize to any and all as the ultimate example of forgiveness, including the very enemy that had captured him. This is the power of the word of God through water and spirit.

^“He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.^”
Colossians 1:13-14 (NRSV)

We do not know for certain if Nicodemus believed that Jesus was the Messiah. However, we do see him resurface later in the book of John as he seems to elude that Jesus indeed is the Messiah in disagreement with other Pharisees. Later after the death of Jesus, along with Joseph of Arimathea, he prepared Jesus’ body for burial with spices and wrapped him in linens. Was Nicodemus perhaps doing this as a do over? Was the Spirit already at work on him? Do you find yourself as Nicodemus, reluctant to go “all in” with your belief and faith?

^“Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.”
John 7:38-39 (NIV)

This commitment to God is a milestone on the path of transformation for these AUMC confirmands. We celebrate with each of them for this important rite of passage into a new chapter in their young lives. In the confirmation ceremony they each renewed their baptismal vows. One confirmand made a life changing decision to be baptized in front of family and church friends with the “Water and Spirit” – just as Jesus had taught. Pray for each of them as they carry forward the legacy of the saints and the light of Christ. 

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.”
John 1:1-4 (NIV)

Hear the good news! Every time we face challenges, trials, setbacks, and disappointment, whether inflicted or self-inflicted, remember the gift of new beginnings. 

A young AUMCer taught me a cherished lesson I will forever remember. He shared that he wore a leather wristband with a medallion token that his mother had given him. She used the band to help him understand and manage situations that called for a new beginning. 

He said, “When I face a situation where I may have failed or disappointed myself or someone else, I just flip the medallion to the other side for a fresh start.”

“Flip it over and Do it Over.” 

Do you need a rebirth? What are you doing in your life today to start over? Are you making Christ a priority?

2020 AUMC CONFIRMATION CLASS CREED
We believe in God; Creator of heaven and earth; all powerful; always ready to listen; and our protector
We believe in Jesus; The Son of God; a healer; He died for our sins and rose from the dead.
We believe in the Holy Spirit; God’s messenger in the world today. Giver of Spiritual Gifts.
We believe God is Three in One- a holy trinity. Amen!

Peace be with you,

Kenny Shortsleeve, Lay Leader