Every story has a beginning, a middle and an end.
If it is a good story, there will be plot twists, problems for the protagonist to overcome and if its’ a really good story, it will have a ‘happy ending’ where they
“All Lived Happily Ever After”
Stories often also give the main character a best friend.
Someone who sticks with them through thick and thin.
In Paul’s letter to the Philippian church, (Philippians 1:6) to his dear friends –
he is quite clear that there is a beginning and a completion or finishing time for all of us in Christ. The Middle; the bulk of the story he summarises as..
‘..He will carry it on..’
Some variations on this are;
‘..He will continue His work..’
‘..He will perform it..’
‘..perfect it..’
‘..accomplish that..’
‘..He won’t stop..’
The emphasis is on Him and His grace towards us.
Paul’s confidence was founded on all that he knew and had experienced of God.
If we look at God’s story we see in Genesis 1:2; In the beginning..the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. And in Genesis 2:1; So the heavens and the earth and everything in them were completed.
We also learn as we turn to Proverbs 8:22-31 that; ‘The Lord acquired me at the beginning of creation, before His works of long ago. I was formed before the ancient times, from the beginning before the earth began…I was a skilled craftsman beside Him. I was rejoicing in His inhabited world, delighting in the children of Adam."
As we continue to move our way through His story we also find that ‘Where can I go to escape your presence?..If I go up to heaven you are there..If I live at the eastern horizon or settle at the western limits. Even there your hand will lead me; your right hand will hold to me.’ (Psalm 139:7-10)
His precious Spirit, whispers His name, voice and presence throughout scripture.
Ruach Elohim, breath of God, the divine and most Holy.
He is absolutely ever present.
This Spirits’ name is known in the Greek also as Paraclete; an advocate, ‘to call to ones’ aid’. Para –‘to comfort’, to console, alongside. Kele – to shout, proclaim, announce, report, fame – in the Greek. I love that!
The Holy Spirit’s role, just as it was for Jesus and the Father – is to give, proclaim and make famous His wonderful name!
He does this as Jesus says in John 14:16; ‘And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another counsellor to be with you forever. He is the Spirit of Truth.. the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.’
In so saying Jesus encourages us further in the book of Matthew 28:20; ‘And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age’.
A forever friend.
The apostle Paul, whose own encounter with God was dramatic – gives us even more reason to hope, ‘to live and breathe and own our being in him (acts 17:8) affirming that indeed; ‘He has put His seal on us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a down payment’ – (1 Corinthians 1:22) And ‘In Him you are also being built together for God’s dwelling in the Spirit’ (Ephesians chapter 1:22)
This humble protagonist – The Holy Spirit – as part of our Triune God – is who Paul is placing his confidence in.
One who wants the very best for us.
One who can be trusted.
One from whom we can receive love, care, protection, advocacy and direction.
Even telling us the Truth when it might hurt sometimes. And then also cheering us on when we do the right thing.
He performs it as we get out of bed each day.
This same Spirit ‘perfects us’ as we let someone in, in front of us in traffic as we drive.
This Spirit ‘accomplishes that’ as we listen to the whisper to forgive someone who has hurt us. This precious Paraclete ‘won’t stop’ on the days we feel like failures. Or the days we feel unable to do what’s necessary.
This beautiful, noble, wise and wonderful gift to us – our Holy Spirit – ‘will continue His work in us’ as we juggle all our daily responsibilities.
On days when we can’t move, or don’t want to – This Holy Spirit, His Grace ‘carries us’.
The Holy Spirit is our ‘middling’. The guts. While at the beginning, He tarries and stays with us through it all. The Holy Spirit is the ultimate BFF. (best friend forever)
I’m glad for the Spirit. I’m really glad for the story.
My story. Your story. His story.
I’m glad we can know there will be an end and a new beginning.
One day, we can be like Mattie & Jenna in the film Suddenly 30 and say;
“Arrivederci!”
“Au Revoir!”
Helen Robinson
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Hi I’m Helen Robinson.
I’ve circled the earth 46 times.I’m a mum to two wonderful young men and one quite precocious cat named Paige. I’m a Certified Holy Yoga Instructor for both adults and kids. Although I have worked predominantly with the under 5’s for most of my life. I thoroughly reading, writing and encouraging others through the Word of God. I love my life with God and am so very thankful for the KWE community. This community has allowed me to meet and be blessed by other Christ followers and especially through the leadership and grace Fideliz offers us all.
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