RENEWED

Titus 3:5

He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

I think my first encounter with the word renew was through books at my local library. It was always one of my favorite activities to go to the library. It was free and I had my very own library card with my name on it. There was one book in particular that I used to check out all the time. And, sometimes rather than even check it back in, I remember going in and asking the librarian if I could just renew it. I checked it out so much, and the librarian knew myself and sisters so well, that eventually the librarian just told me that I could keep it. I can still feel the awe and my big smile when I think about that day and the gift of keeping that book.

The Holy Spirit provides us a similar gift of renewal. There is no cost, no charge, but rather an abundant gift of love is given to us through the waters of baptism. We are given this gift of renewal so that we never grow dry. This letter to Titus from Paul reminds us that this gift of the Spirit is not because of anything that we have done but rather through God’s own grace and mercy. All we have to do is show up. That is how much God loves us. And, this same loving God gives us the Spirit to renew us again and again so that we will not grow weary and we not become faint.

God is good, all the time. And, all the time, God is good.

Prayer

God of renewal, thank you for saving us. Not through any works of our own, but because of your abundant grace. Be with us today and every day and help us to be renewed by the power of your Spirit. Amen.