Advocate (SA)

But the Advocate . . . will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.

 - From John 14

The title, Holy Spirit, as I understand it, is very difficult to translate into any language. It describes a divine concept that is beyond our abilities accurately to understand.

It is here described as The Advocate: an entity, a moderator between God and man, that pleads to God on man's behalf. But of course, that responsibility has been assigned to Christ, The Son.

Realize that, a thought from God is more real than we are. If there are electrical impulses between humanity and God, or some form of energy, that transfers our thoughts to Him, and vice versa . . . it might be in reality some highly developed communication medium. But to us, it appears as a tangible being. To help our understanding, God may provide The Advocate with eyes, ears, nose . . . a face! And arms, legs with a full humanoid body.

There's a Star Trek Original Series episode, Metamorphosis, that portrays an energy field that is so advanced that it has intelligence and emotions. It assists and provides for a man, who comes to call the energy field "the companion." The Companion interacts with the man, that Kirk and Spock come to recognize as love between the two.

The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, might be like that. The word "spirit" itself, in this context, comes from the Greek word, ruach, or breath, or win.

We need to have a sense that we are interfacing with Holy Spirit - - - with the breath, the wind, the voice . . . the thoughts, of God. We will be reminded of what we know to be true. We will realize that we should not have said something that we said. We'll read social situations more effectively. We'll actually care whether or not we are building up another person, or tearing them down.

In educational research, we understand the value of making sure that children feel safe in school; that they feel valued and appreciated. It can mean the difference between success and failure for them. And we need them to succeed . . . all of them.

This should be what Christians are all about. Are we helping others to become more than they think they are? The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, should be showing us the way. When those thoughts come your way . . . do not ignore it. Make your heart a ready receptacle for the Voice of  God.