CONLEY COMMENTARY (WSAU) – My friend Jerry Bader was on television last weekend. You might remember his talk show several years ago. Today Jerry is a minister and the leader of the Samaritan’s Heart Mission Church in Green Bay.
Jerry is certain that God has called him and his wife to this work.
He’s said many times that the person he was when he hosted his radio program no longer exists. He’d told me before that he wanted to be a paster for everyone, not just conservatives who might have listened to his broadcasts. But it is more than that. The person he is now is fundamentally different.
I wonder if that is what it is like to be born again.
Jesus said: “Truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
But I am not born again. I have grown into my faith slowly. I certainly have a deeper understanding now compared to when I was younger. I’ve never been more convinced of ultimate truth. But belief has not come to me through a big voice from the clouds. My journey of faith has been more like a long hike through the woods rather that a giant clap of thunder and lightning.
In one sense, I’m jealous of the born-again crowd. Imagine if there was one event, one moment, that erased all doubts. That hasn’t happened for me, and yet my faith is unshakable. Perhaps such a transformative moment lies in front of me. Just because it hasn’t happened yet doesn’t mean it won’t. And yet I am certain that, through God, I’m also different than I was before… changed on day at a time.
Chris Conley.
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