“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” (John 14:16-17)
One of my favorite things to do is spend time with my friends. Through the years I’ve made a lot of friends through volleyball or school. Some have moved, some have changed schools, some play for different teams now. My cousin, who is one of my best friends, lives in Waukesha so we don’t get to see each other every day, sometimes not for weeks. But because we both have iPhones, we can stay connected even if we can’t be in the same place. Texting each other or sending videos on Instagram, we can keep up on what’s happening in our lives and at school.
Now, imagine having a best friend who is always with you—someone who walks beside you through every moment, whether you’re laughing with friends, struggling with school, or feeling lonely. You wouldn’t ignore them or pretend they weren’t there, right? Well, that’s what the Holy Spirit is like—your ever-present friend.
The Bible is clear that God wants to be with His people.
From the Old Testament, where it says God’s glory dwelled in the tabernacle, to the New Testament, where Jesus is called Emmanuel, “God with us,” we see that God wants to be with His people. In John 14, Jesus assures His disciples that even as He prepares to leave them physically, He will not abandon them. Instead, He promises the Holy Spirit, who will dwell within them forever.
Living as if God is with you means talking to Him throughout the day, leaning on Him for help, and trusting that He is by your side, no matter what. So, take a moment to think: Do you live as if God is with you? Do your thoughts, actions, and words reflect the reality of His presence?
While keeping in touch with our friends is fun and encouraging, knowing that the Spirit of God is not only with us but in us, should encourage us to be strong for God no matter what comes our way.
For reflection:
- What can you do to remind yourself that God is will you all the time? How do you think this would help you throughout your day?
by Hannah Caler (Grade 11)
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