From Disappointment to Delight: A Holy Spirit Story

 

But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you.

John 14:26 (AMP)

Not long after moving to Minnesota to become the Youth and Worship Minister at a church in the suburbs south of the Twin Cities, we were part of a group from that church who bought tickets to a performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat starring Donny Osmond.

My Beloved was especially looking forward to seeing her former teen-crush-heartthrob perform and was especially disappointed to hear the announcement that Donny would not be seen in the role of Joseph that night, but that his understudy would be performing instead.

Then the show started and the abundant energy and talent of the understudy obliterated all thoughts of disappointment.

I think the disciples may have gone on a similar journey.

There they were, sopping up the last of their Passover meal, when Jesus told them he was leaving  -  and that the Holy Spirit would come instead. Their hearts weren’t ready for that. They wanted him. How could they imagine being helped or counseled by anyone else?

Then the book of Acts happened, obliterating all thoughts of disappointment.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

Truth is...Jesus didn't make that promise only to the disciples in the upper room. I know that's true because he didn't send the Holy Spirit only to them. We are promised the same Helper, Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, and Standby, weilding the same power that raised Jesus from the dead.

File that under "Good News"!