You should not be surprised at my saying, “You must be born again.”
John 3:7
STORY
Tom Monaghan needed money if he was going to study architecture at the University of Michigan and one day follow in the footsteps of his idol Frank Llyod Wright. Borrowing $900 from his brother, he bought DomiNick’s pizza shop in nearby Ypsilanti, followed by the purchase of a second store in Mount Pleasant. In order to save money for “sign making” he dropped the “ick” from DomiNick and added an “o.” Thus began, in 1960, the second largest pizza franchise in the world – Domino’s Pizza.
The board chairman and founder grew up in poverty, spending most of his early years in a Catholic orphanage in Jackson. He credits his deep religious faith to that institution. As a result of the spiritual disciplines that he acquired at St. Joseph Home for Children, as an adult he begins each work day with exercise, twenty-minutes of prayer, and attends daily Mass. In his briefcase, that he carried each day to the office, were two spiral notebooks. One is red – like the devil – where he records his daily material desires. The other is blue – like heaven – where he records his spiritual achievements. Since his net worth is estimated at $480 million, he desires to guard himself from being too materialistic.
On this endeavor the entrepreneur said, “God has been good to me. I feel obliged to give something back.” As a generous philanthropist he often said, “I’ve always felt the most important thing for me is getting into heaven. When I die, I don’t think St. Peter is going to ask me how many pizzas I sold.” Therefore, he has set before himself a goal to build Roman Catholic chapels around the globe, especially in the third world. Speaking of this ambition, “We have 5,000 pizza outlets. My goal is now 5,000 chapels.” In gratitude to God, Monahan desire to build one chape for each pizza shop that he owns.
DEVOTION
It would be good if our conversion experience could bring forth such a transformation in life.
We have all become Nicodemus. Nicodemus was a Pharisee, the legalistic Jewish sect that was adamantly opposed to Jesus. Nicodemus, knowing he would lose his status in society, and his prominent position seated in the Sanhedrin if he was seen with the Nazarene, came unseen at night, hidden in darkness, like his soul.
Nicodemus was aware of the teachings of Jesus and wanted to know for himself, from Jesus himself, the blessings of living in the Kingdom. Perplexed, he desired to know just what he needed to do to be a part of the Kingdom that Jesus described. In response to Nicodemus inquiry Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” Confused, Nicodemus asked, “How can someone be born when they are old? Surely, they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” The scriptures go on to report Jesus’ answer, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.” It is from this incident in the life of Jesus we have come to hear the common phrase that a Christian is “born again.”
We were born into original sin. We now have been “born again” into the life of Jesus.
To be born again. What does it mean? As Christians we should not suppose that the meaning is clear. When Jimmy Carter was campaigning for president, he often referred to himself as a born again Christian. Reporters were so unfamiliar with this term that they actually had to research its meaning. These journalists were as confused as Nicodemus. Are you confused as to what being born again means in your life?
I would hope that it means that you will carry two notebooks, reflecting your new life. You will be able to articulate how you have abandoned Satan and worldliness, and embraced Jesus and the Kingdom. The two notebooks will record how you have become discipled, no longer living by the flesh as you are now guided by the Spirit.
The television actor Tom Selleck said he owes his success because of his faith in Jesus. Selleck confesses that Jesus has guided him over the years. After college Selleck planned to have a career with United Airlines. He caught the attention of Hollywood from the television commercials that he was doing while working for United, and from these commercials he was even offered an acting contract by Twentieth Century Fox. He turned it down believing that God had called him to serve in the Army. After serving in the military, Selleck returned to Hollywood to pursue an acting career.
His big break came when he was offered the lead role in the television series Magnum, P.I. The show ran from 1980 to 1988. In an interview with CBN News, Selleck said, “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time.”
Regarding the fame and fortune that acting has brought him, Selleck confesses that his relationship with Jesus has kept him grounded. The actor said, “I try very hard to conduct myself in an ethical way, because that’s important to my stability now. We’re a culture that’s so centered on the individual. The culture says that basically nothing is more important than the way you feel.”
Does the Lord direct your steps?
Are you born again?