Leave Space for the Holy Spirit
I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.
John 14:25-27
Do you leave time in your schedule for the Holy Spirit? You might ask, “What do you mean by that?” Many of us seem to be busy in our lives and have every hour of every day filled with things that need to be done. In the passage above from John’s Gospel, Jesus is talking to His disciples, explaining that the end of His earthly life is near, explaining how things will be when He is not physically among them each day. For about three years, they had been following Him, living, working and doing ministry with Him. They had grown accustomed to being in His presence, following His schedule and hearing His voice each day. He was preparing them for the time when He would no longer be with them, and He told them that God the Father would send them an advocate. This advocate, the Holy Spirit, would teach them and help them remember what Jesus had taught them.
The Holy Spirit is there for us, to help us to remember what Jesus has taught us. If you are so busy that you don’t leave any time to listen for the Holy Spirit, then you just might be missing these reminders. Don’t schedule every minute of every day; leave space for the presence of Holy Spirit in your life. As you go about your day today, think about this and make time to listen and watch for the presence of the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, reminding you of what Jesus has taught us.
Collect of the Holy Spirit
Almighty and most merciful God, grant that by the indwelling of your Holy Spirit we may be enlightened and strengthened for your service; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
BCP, pg. 251
