As life is filled with many trials, there are many places that I find encouragement. One of those is the Holy Spirit. In trying times, I find encouragement in "his" name. "If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth" (John 14:15-17; NIV).
This name "Counselor" comes from the Greek word pronounced, "para-klay-tawn". This is where we get the word, "paraclete" which literally means, "called alongside". This means that the Holy Spirit was "called" to walk "alongside" us. It means that as the Christian travels on the journey of life, through blessings and challenges, through aboundance and drought, through happiness and sorrow, he or she is not alone. Even in times when we feel isolated, when it seems that no one understands, and it feels like we are walking alone, the Holy Spirit has been "called alongside" us to guide us in truth, to comfort us in sorrow and to lead us into our destiny.
I am encouraged daily, that God has not just sent to us a "counselor" as is defined by the American English definition, but He has ordained and commissioned the Holy Spirit himself to be by our side forever. This is the source of my help, my strength, my move, my press, my step, and my stride. The Holy Spirit is the source of my get-up when I fall, my flee when I am tempted, my try-again when I fail, my love-my-neighbor when my neighbor doesn't love me, my feeding-the-poor when I can barely feed myself, and my carrying-my-cross when I feel like giving up.
It is the one who has been "called alongside" who allows us to experience the Father, who promised to never leave us or forsake us, and the Son, Emmanuel, who is God with us. This is the experience of the Trinity.
Much Love,
Pastor D.
