We’re looking at scriptures related to the Building Blocks, spiritual practices we can adapt and use to “practice the presence of Christ.” Read more info about the blocks, or download the Soul Care Plan. Today’s Block is “?” for The Mystery Block.
Today’s scripture: John 14:12-18 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Tommy Chittenden):
So just what is this Holy Spirit, this Comforter, this Advocate that lives within us?
And what is the connection between me, the Holy Spirit, my Soul Care Plan and “practicing the presence of Christ”?
I offer this solely based on how I personally see and have experienced the interconnection of it all. I think it’s worth considering.
Once upon a non-time, God, in all God’s Glory, extended and created a Child — that would be you. Eventually God’s Child, an aspect of God, a part of the whole, had the thought that it could do something “on its own”, that somehow it could be separate from the whole. In that instant, the ego came into being, which is ultimately just a way of thinking that supports us in believing that we are separate from the whole. That is all the ego is, and the only purpose it fulfills is the constant reminder of the illusion that this piece of God is separate from its Oneness, that there is no Oneness, and that it is on its own.
As God noticed this aspect of itself holding this thought and saw the ego coming alive to reinforce that thought, God manifest God’s self as the Holy Spirit, not as a counter to the ego, but as a cure — to hold Truth within the mind as well, so that either would be available at any given time. There cannot be the opposite to what does not exist, but there can be a Truth to prove the nonexistence of what is not, and that is the relationship of the Holy Spirit to the ego.
God understood that at some point the Child would tire of the thought that it is separate from the whole, and when it did, it would have this inner Resource to gently guide it back to the Truth of Its Oneness — the still small voice.
The ego’s full-time job is to convince you that you are on your own, alone, roaming the world, and that you are never truly connected, united or one with anything. You may be born into a family, and yet that family will come and go. You may enter into a marriage, and that marriage may come and go. You may have children, and they too will come and go. You are never at One with anything, no matter what you do to try to attain that….the ego may even discourage you from having unity with your family, a true sense of unity with your marriage or a deep connection with your children to reaffirm your aloneness and separation.
The Holy Spirit is patient and vigilant in reminding us of our Oneness. It won’t intrude upon your dream, attempting to wake you before your sleep is done, but it never leaves your side, watching over you, loving you, and in countless ways prompting you to remember “Who you are” and your connection with All That Is. By manifesting as the Holy Spirit, God provided a way to bring God’s Voice into each Child as they went out into the world.
Little by little, as you hear, recognize, and understand God’s Voice in different ways — through your thinking, correcting a thought with this Voice, recognizing this Voice in another, sharing this Voice with a friend — God’s Voice is brought into the world as we intentionally practice the presence of Christ.
God loves us so much that God wanted you, God’s Child, to always know that you are safe, loved, and whole. The Holy Spirit ensures that we will always know these things. This gift cannot be taken from the Child of God. It is in every one of us! It is but for us to remember and live as One!
Thought for the day: With deep gratitude, God, I acknowledge that I am not alone or orphaned, but connected to You and with One Another. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for helping me to wake up from my dream and remember who I am and why I am here — experiencing the joy of the Presence of Christ every moment, every day!
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.