When we most need a friend, we need the safety and assurance of their presence. So it is with our friendship with God. Here in these few verses in John, Jesus gives us some clues about the Spirit who is to come. He even gives us a glimpse into the beautiful self-giving and receiving love shared between him, his Father and the Spirit. Jesus is personally inviting us into the dance of that love.
As you pause to pray with the text today, you might take hold of your hand and imagine the way you would like the Spirit, your friend to take you by the hand. Notice how that feels. Sense into what feels like safe, loving, accepting presence. From this posture you might begin to wonder and open to whatever the Spirit might be passing on to you from Jesus and his Father this day.
You have a forever Friend.
John 16:12-15 The Message
“I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t handle them now. But when the Friend comes, the Spirit of the Truth, he will take you by the hand and guide you into all the truth there is. He won’t draw attention to himself, but will make sense out of what is about to happen and, indeed, out of all that I have done and said. He will honor me; he will take from me and deliver it to you. Everything the Father has is also mine. That is why I’ve said, ‘He takes from me and delivers to you.’
For Reflection and Prayer:
Was there a word, a phrase, image, or feeling that ‘shimmered’ as you listened? Allow it to land in your heart. Stay with it. Savor it.
Reflect on what you heard. What effect does it have on you? What meaning does it hold for you? What does the Holy Spirit seem to be conveying to you? Talk it over in your prayer. Perhaps you want to draw or color your prayer or journal the conversation.
As the time of prayer comes to a close, share some moments of quiet with Jesus, simply resting safely in his presence.
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