By MARGARET BROWN
I HAVE listened to stories of instant divine revelation at various times in my pilgrimage and marvelled that these things have happened, but never to me.
Born again Christians have a certain light in their eyes and perhaps a sense of predestination. This seems to set them apart from others, who may be beset with questions and uncertainties.
The phrase was first used by Jesus during his night time meeting with Nicodemus, a Pharisee and Jewish Leader, in answer to a question (John 3: 3-7). To be ‘Born again’ requires a spiritual transformation, an act of God through which sins are forgiven and eternal life is granted to the one who believes.
Those who have received this blessing, perhaps at a mass evangelical rally where hundreds come forward and declare their new found faith on a wave of euphoria, will need continued leadership and encouragement to flesh out the bones of their enlightenment.
Whether faith comes like a bolt from the blue or as the result of guidance, reading and much thought, it needs regular topping-up through worship and prayer. Otherwise, the radiance fades and church going can become a habit. I am still walking the walk and hoping there are enough years ahead to achieve a clean sheet and a key to the kingdom for those I love, which at times seems as far away as ever it was.
However, I was walking in the hills as the sun came up the other morning and, suddenly, I was not alone. Invisible and overpowering, it was like a divine presence that silenced my intercessions and remained within me, a filling of heart and soul, a promise and a hope. The flawed and sinful ‘me’ is still here, and yet … who knows?
