Thoughts for the Day

‘I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Teaching has to be relevant to the student! That would seem pretty relevant, but often in the past, assessment of those who teach has been about their teaching rather than about what the students learn, and both need to be considered. We wouldn't teach calculus, or iambic pentameter in poetry, to a small child unless they were a genius or unless we could find a simple visual or practical way of highlighting such things. This is what made Jesus such a wonderful teacher, and why it was that he promised to send the Holy Spirit to help us navigate the complexities of life. He uses the metaphor of a "guiding light" that will show us the way to travel and to search out what is true from what is false. Notice how patient he is to gently open the disciples' minds as they are able to receive and understand what he is saying.

As new Christians we start like babies (whatever our physical age at the time) and need to be given simple truths, perhaps the Christmas story rather than the Easter story, but as we mature in our faith leaning on the Holy Spirit for guidance and trusting in Jesus’ promises we are led into deeper truths as God unveils them to us. When we are ready the Spirit will inspire us to move on to explore other ways of understanding our faith, and to realise there is more to learn and we don't have all the answers. Never forget the Church includes those who are spiritual 10 year olds at the clubbable stage ("We do it this way!") and spiritual 90 year olds ("God = love!"), and that their physical age is no indication of their spiritual age!

We need to rest on the Holy Spirit each day rather like using a satnav with voice turned up. He will keep us going in the right direction, helping us to make right decisions, if we will let Him.

Lord Jesus Christ,
may we not understand "truth" to be static;
may we realise that there are depths to truth;
and that as we mature spiritually
You will lead us through the Holy Spirit
to learn more about You
and Your plans for our life.
Amen.