John 3:5
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Shabbat Shalom Barch Ata/ Happy Sabbath and Blessed The Name
Due to the Corvid -19, I have been out of work for some time. I have to admit I enjoyed the time off. It gave me a chance to begin writing my devotions again, I lost weight due to having more time to work out and be able to spend more time with my husband. Last week I received a call from my job asking me if I was ready to come back and I replied yes. Before them calling me I was not sure if I wanted to return and should I begin looking for something else. I work as a therapist and the population that I work with can take a toll on you. Also, the paperwork is no fun, therefore I was looking for something new and different. But when I got the call asking me to return at that moment I felt like it was the right thing to do.
Even though I was going too missed the time off, a part of me was excited to return to work. This week has been hectic and we have been preparing to reopen our program for our patients to return on Monday. Sanitizing, preparing paperwork, re-organizing, and decorating. Things will look different for a while we had to create a whole new way of doing things to protect our patients and ourselves. Before the Covid-19 we would have over 100 patients a day. Now we are allowed to only have 30-45 a day. Even though we complained about how we have to do things differently than what we are used to. We all agreed on how it felt good to start over and fresh. Every patient will start as if they were a new patient coming in for the first time.
It’s something about starting fresh and having a new beginning. As humans, we look forward to things that are new for example, New Year, our birthdays, new career, and new relationships, and so on. Many businesses had to close down during this pandemic. However, many are excited to reopen their business and have a fresh start. This brings me to our discussion and how this tides in with our relationship with the Abba/Father.
I asked The Adonai what I should write to today. I kept hearing in my spirit re-opening. I was not sure what direction He wanted me to go but as I started to write it became clear to me. Reflecting on my job’s reopening I began to think about as believers in Yeshua we were able to start again and have a fresh start. I looked up the definition of re-opening and one of the definitions said “begin again”. The Gospel that was preached by Yeshua Hamashiach is how we can begin again starting over in Him. It is awesome that Adonai has a reopening plan for us. That none us should perish but all come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Many businesses had to close down due to the Covid-19 and now they are allowed to reopen their doors if they are willing to follow the requirements that the CDC put in place. In regards to my job, we could only reopen unless we follow the guidelines of the CDC. The main requirements are wearing a face mask, taking temperature, practice social distance, and sanitizing.
In comparison to our relationship with The Adonai, I recalled a story in the bible that demonstrates His reopening plan. For us to “begin again” there are certain guidelines we must follow. Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews came to Yeshua asking how he can be born again. He wanted to know the requirements for salvation. And Yeshua explained to him unless one is born of water and the Spirit/ Ruach Ha-Kodesh), he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Going back to the reopening plan for many businesses they must sanitize their establishment to assure there is no contamination. In simple terms, there is a process of purification before they can begin again or reopen. This also applies to us as we come to Yeshua Hamashiach there is a process of purification for us to be born again. For natural cleaning its soap and water a spiritual cleaning it’s the spirit/ Ruach Ha-Kodesh). As humans, we all had a natural birth but to be reborn or born again and participate in the Lord’s reopening plan we must be reborn by the spirit/ Ruach Ha-Kodesh). According to the CDC, there are approved disinfectants that are used to fight against the virus. Well in the same matter there is the only way that has been approved to disinfectants us from all unrighteous and fights against being exposed to sin which brings death if goes untreated (James 1:15). And that is Yeshua Hamashiach (John 14:6).
Just like now, we are required to wear a face-covering we also need a spiritual covering to protect us from sin (Romans 4:7-8, Psalms 32:1-2). We also require to wash our hands as that applies to us, daily repentance is our way of keeping our hands pure before The Adonai (James 4:8). And we are asked to practice social distance as for us we are supposed to practice socially distance ourselves from the world (2 Corinthians 6:17).
In closing, I encourage you to review G-D’s re-opening plan and make sure you are following His guidelines.
Shabbat Shalom
You’re Achot/Sister
Shakina
References:
Smith, C. (1 Jun, 2005). C2000 Series on John 3-4 by Chuck Smith. Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/smith_chuck/c2000_Jhn/Jhn_003.cfm
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