Monday. A new week. Sometimes all the potential a new week holds overwhelms me. What if I get a late start? Or am unorganized? Or forget all that needs to be done? It’s still amazing to me after all these years of living, that I forget that only one day happens at a time, I am not responsible for the entire week today. Fear still can dominate my thoughts if I am not diligent to recognize it and root it out. I no longer have kids at home, and I am worried I’ll forget to do what’s necessary? Please. It’s ridiculous, really. I wonder if it’s habit-forming to worry; if that can become our default without our realizing it. I think it can.
Anyway – what comfort today to read 1 John 4:14-15: “Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God.”
“He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through his Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.” Titus 3:5-6
Sometimes, when I think of my grown children, I’ll have a quick moment of panic. ”Did I tell them about ______?” Or, “Did I forget to teach them that ___________?” And, then the inevitable thought: “Well, it’s too late now…”
Which is not a very hope-filled thought! To feel like I missed something; left something out, didn’t do a good job. And now there’s no making up for it. My children are destined to be out in the cold, hard world, on their own, trying desperately to figure things out for themselves.
Again, this is ridiculous. And yet, I have these thoughts sometimes.
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you and later will be in you.” John 14:16-17.
That last sentence staggers me. Can you imagine? This same Jesus, who they have walked with, worked with, talked with, and learned from, for the past three years, said they would know the Advocate when He arrived because “he lives with you and later will be IN you.”
Although they didn’t fully understand the depth of meaning in his statement at that time, that this same Jesus whom they were listening to and looking square in the face, would come to them and actually take up residence IN them, to guide and comfort them, for all their days.
“I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative – that is, the Holy Spirit – he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.” John 14:25-26
I don’t remember all I taught my children over the years. I’m not qualified to say whether I did my job well or not. I think I did, but God alone is the judge. The thing is, what comfort to realize that they have a teacher to remind them! They are not alone. Someone who will be their Advocate, who knows all that concerns them, and will guide them into truth.
We can rest as parents, or teachers, or in whatever work we do, because when we are in Christ, his Spirit lives within us and will teach us the truth. May our prayer everyday be voiced with the Psalmist: “Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.” Psalm 86:11
Whoa! Powerful, good, Godly!