God's Holy Fire: 'Spiritual Mystery'

As a young boy, I remember taking apart an old clock radio to figure out how it worked. I learned a great deal — including the importance of unplugging something electrical before taking it apart! But, I can't figure out the way the Spirit works on the hearts of men and women to bring them to Jesus and to give them new birth. I can see the changes in people's lives. I can hear their confession of faith. I can watch them being baptized. But each of these things is evidence of the greater reality that I cannot fully comprehend or explain — they are evidence of the work of the Holy Spirit in people's lives to open their hearts to Jesus and surrender to him as Lord, to cleanse them of their sin, to live inside of them, and to include them in the family of God. However, I am thankful that I recognize that Jesus said I couldn't fully comprehend this new birth but also that I have repeatedly seen the Spirit make incredible differences in the lives of people. While, according to the old English adage, you might not be able to "teach an old dog new tricks," I know that the Holy Spirit can give anyone, young or old, new life!