Whenever I watch a travel show, which isn’t very often, I note that usually the star of the show has a guide, a local, to help him or her with the destination. This is how the star can see the hidden sights of a particular place and not get caught up in the tourist traps. Sure, the big places are always visited, but then you get the hole-in-the-wall restaurants, the parks no one outside of the locals know about, and things of this sort. That local guide is invaluable. That local guide literally makes that show worth watching. That local guide is the cause for the adventure that is rolled out for our entertainment.
In the Christian life we have our local guide, too. Jesus made this abundantly clear with the following words:
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. – John 14:26-28, ESV
When I read that passage I am reminded that the Holy Spirit, God Himself, is the one whom the Father sent to teach me and lead me. Jesus was about to leave His disciples. He would no longer be physically present with them for He was returning to the Father. And though this would normally be a time of sorrow, He tells them He was leaving them with peace – His peace – real peace. How could they have real peace when the man they had given up everything for, the one they believed to be the Messiah, would no longer be with them? Quite simply because He was leaving so the Holy Spirit would come down. They wouldn’t have to worry about not being able to walk with God. God was providing a way that they could always be with Him as they finished their adventures. That same promise to the disciples is a promise to us that is fulfilled when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. He is here to be our guide and our teacher. He is the one that is the cause for the adventure. Without Him, we might be able to find some excitement but that’s trouble, not adventure, and they aren’t the same thing.
Trying to live life without the Holy Spirit is like trying to visit a new place without that local tour guide. You will hit and miss, and likely it will mostly be misses. Also, just as the case when you’re in a place you don’t know, you could make a wrong turn and find yourself in real trouble. The Holy Spirit is there to guide us. He is here to ensure we are only in situations we can handle, albeit sometimes with God’s help. He is trying to steer us away from sin and towards righteousness. If we don’t listen to Him we will likely find ourselves in a world of hurt that is entirely of our own making – the consequences of sin in our lives.
Definitely look to get the most out of life, but do so within the context of God’s plan. He hasn’t left us on our own to figure out what that is. He has sent the Holy Spirit to take us through the steps, to guide our paths, to make sure we get the most out of the adventure we call this life. The Holy Spirit isn’t going to prevent all calamities and troubles. What He can prevent are calamities and troubles we would get into due to disobedience. God will use calamities and troubles to build us up – yes, even the ones we muck our way into due to disobedience. And as I have said in previous devotionals, let our thinking be about the problems of life are challenges to be overcome and that we have a guide, the ultimate guide, to help us with them. The Holy Spirit is with us to help us be the people God would have us be. He is here to help us in the process of sanctification. The catch is we have to follow Him and listen to Him. So seek life’s great adventure, but don’t forget to follow our guide, the Holy Spirit.
Be Encouraged Devotionals 