Frustrations Always End With Eternal Peace

Today’s reading: John 3:1-17

I tend to forget that John 3:16 (“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.”) comes during Jesus’s talk with Nicodemous, a man who doesn’t appear to realize he is struggling with faith.

It was great to read the entire passage again today and recall the question Nicodemous asks that leads to Jesus’ famous answer.

“How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?”  (verse 4)

That question, clearly, is more of a challenge than an sincere inquiry. Nicodemous comes to the conversation not ready to believe in the Spirit.

I recognize this state of mind. I have been there often myself. 

I cannot point to a specific instance in my life in which I can testify that I was “born again.” Rather, that happens to me almost daily — with each frustration that comes my way only to be resolved through God’s grace.

When I first encounter a frustration (or a fear or worry), it almost always seem insurmountable.  I sometimes even yell in protest, ‘Why me, God?”

When I do this, I am, like Nicodemous,  simply not remembering how God works.

But as these frustrations (often slowly) unravel into peace, I do remember God. And then I acknowledge him. And then I am born again, again.

Thanks be to God for my eternal life and strength.