Fresh Mannaby Pastor Tim BurtNow I Get It! Now I've Got it! An Inspirational StoryMarcy stood in her kitchen, sipping her coffee as the morning news played softly in the background. She wasn’t paying much attention—her mind was already on the busy workday ahead. But a particular phrase caught her ear.“…and they’re calling it a revival,” the news anchor said, her tone intrigued. “Many are describing the experience as being ‘born again.’”Marcy frowned, placing her coffee cup in the sink. Born again. What does that even mean? She’d heard the term before, but it always seemed vague and overly religious. Shrugging it off, she grabbed her bag and headed out the door.That afternoon, Marcy sat at lunch with Laura, her coworker and friend. Laura was her go-to person for anything work-related. She was sharp, dependable, and one of the kindest people Marcy had ever met. Laura also had a strong faith, which she often shared in a way that felt genuine, never pushy.Today, they had planned to discuss an upcoming project. As they waited for their salads, Marcy decided to bring up the question that had been nagging her all morning.“Laura,” Marcy began hesitantly, “can I ask you something? It’s not work-related.”“Of course!” Laura said, setting down her iced tea. “What’s on your mind?”“This morning, I heard something on the news. They were talking about a revival and used the phrase ‘born again.’ I’ve heard it before, but I don’t really know what it means. Do you?”Laura’s eyes lit up. “Yes, I do. That’s such a great question, Marcy. Being ‘born again’ is something Jesus talked about in the Bible. It’s actually one of the most important parts of my faith.”Marcy leaned in, curious. “Really? What does it mean? Is it just a metaphor?”“Well,” Laura began, “let’s think about your physical birth. You know when you were born, right? The date, maybe even the time—something your parents probably told you.”“Of course,” Marcy replied with a nod.“But when it comes to God, you might not know if you believe in Him. And if you do, you may not know the moment that belief became real for you. Would you say that’s true?”Marcy hesitated. “Yeah… I think so. I’m not sure where I stand on all that.”Laura smiled gently. “Faith in Jesus is a decision—a moment when you recognize who He is and put your trust in Him. That’s when you’re ‘born again.’ It’s a spiritual birth, not a physical one.”“In the Gospel of John, Jesus had a conversation with a man named Nicodemus,” Laura continued. “Nicodemus was a religious leader, but he didn’t fully understand what Jesus was teaching. Jesus told him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ Nicodemus was confused too. He asked how someone could be born again when they’re already grown. But Jesus explained it wasn’t about physical birth—it was a spiritual rebirth.”Marcy tilted her head. “A spiritual rebirth? What does that look like?”“It’s about starting fresh with God,” Laura explained. “When we realize we’ve all sinned and fallen short of God’s standards, we see our need for His forgiveness. Being born again happens when you put your faith in Jesus—believing He died for your sins, rose again, and offers you new life. In that moment, your sins are washed away, and the Holy Spirit comes to live in you, helping you live for God.”“So, it’s not about being perfect or following a bunch of rules?” Marcy asked.“Not at all,” Laura said, smiling. “It’s about grace—God’s undeserved love, mercy, and help. None of us can earn it. Jesus did everything for us. When you trust Him, He changes you from the inside out.”Marcy looked down at her plate, the weight of unasked questions filling her mind. “I’ve always thought I was a pretty good person. But… maybe that’s not enough?”Laura reached across the table and gently touched Marcy’s hand. “None of us are good enough on our own, Marcy. That’s why Jesus came—to bridge the gap between us and God. Do you believe in Him?”“I think I do,” Marcy said quietly. “At least, I want to. But I don’t know how to… start.”Laura smiled warmly. “It starts with a prayer. It’s not about saying perfect words—it’s about opening your heart. You can tell Jesus you believe in Him, that you want His forgiveness, and that you want to follow Him. Would you like to pray together now?”Marcy hesitated, then nodded. “I think I would. I’ve never prayed like that before, but I feel like I need to.”Laura guided her through a simple prayer:“Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God. I believe You died for my sins and rose again. I ask You to forgive me and give me a new life. I want to follow You and trust You. Thank You for saving me. Amen.”When Marcy opened her eyes, they were filled with tears. “I feel… different. Like a weight I didn’t even know I was carrying is gone.”“That’s what happens when you give your life to Jesus,” Laura said. “It’s a new beginning. If you want to feel even closer to God, start reading the Bible. It might feel confusing at first, but it’ll open your eyes to how God sees the world. And if you’re open to it, I’d love for you to come to church with me this Sunday. I think you’ll be surprised at how much God speaks to your heart.”Marcy smiled, her heart lighter than it had felt in years. She didn’t fully understand everything yet, but she was ready to take the next step.That morning, she had heard a phrase that intrigued her. By the afternoon, it had become her reality. She was born again.
John 3:5-7 (NIV) Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.'
In His love,Pastor Tim Burt
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