This morning my daughter was working on one of her activity books, and from across the room she announces, “now we just need to tape it to the door”. My response was one of confusion, followed by declaration of how we can’t go taping things to our doors, we are in a rental, might remove paint, etc. I sensed some minor (understatement) disappointment, so I said, “well, let me see”. She appeared beside me with a bunny face that she had colored and cut out of the pages, and sure enough, right between his little ears was a square that said, “tape here”. Then I couldn’t figure out for the life of me why they wanted the front taped to the door, and how you would still get to see the bunny that was colored in if it was flipped over and taped. My next statement was this: “Let me see the book, I need a little context.”
It struck me later that this is very similar to our behavior sometimes when we hear a prompting from the Holy Spirit. Often it doesn’t make sense, we don’t understand why, and it seems like an inconvenient request.
Jn 14:26
But the Counselor, 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.
This is Jesus talking, explaining about his departure and the Holy Spirit the disciples will receive. This verse comes just before he says, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful.” (Jn 14:27) Why? Because the disciples were in the habit of getting their context and explanation from Jesus. If he’s gone, who will explain it all to them? They didn’t want to mess it up, and they were unsettled about the weight of figuring it out all on their own, not to mention trying to lead others in explanation. What a comfort he left them with… and us! They will not be alone, and they have someone who will call to mind all that he said and taught. Not just that but will also give context so as to bring the full glory to God.
They walked with Jesus, so those are the conversations and experiences that the Spirit called to mind. We walk with Jesus too, yet it is important that we read our bible to know what he said and is still saying to us today. Sometimes the context doesn’t come until later, but in perfect timing completing something we were told (or read) at an earlier time.
John 2:22
After He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this. Then they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.
John 12:16
At first His disciples did not understand these things, but after Jesus was glorified they remembered what had been done to Him, and they realized that these very things had also been written about Him.
It is a cycle, bringing us back to God’s word, bringing him glory, and encouraging our faith. So today, read his Word, trust his Spirit, and look and pray for context for your actions. It will bring encouragement to believers and Glory to our Lord!
And about that bunny? Turns out it was a doorknocker to be taped to the front of the door on a page following the one she cut it out of… glad I didn’t just tape it to my front door.
Prayers and Petition 