“Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth. It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don’t go away the Counselor will not come to you. If I go, I will send him to you.” (CSB – Read the chapter)

There’s no tired quite like camp tired. Day three of camp is in the books. Everyone is moving just a bit more slowly than they were at the beginning of the week. Getting up is just a little harder than it was the day before. But the fun hasn’t stopped, the learning is ongoing, and this afternoon will bring a wild (and probably wet) relay race that is the highlight of the week each year. As we continue to reflect on the wow gifts God gives, yesterday we talked about the gift of the Holy Spirit. Here’s a taste of what we covered.

If you are a parent, you know that one of the hardest things you face is letting your kids be on their own. Some parents struggle so much with this that they don’t ever really let go which causes a host of ongoing issues for their kids later on in life. The best and wisest parents, though, understand that they are preparing their kids to be in their own from day one. That’s all parenting really is: teaching little humans how to be successful adults who create a family of their own so that they can one day do the same thing you have done (but even better).

Like it or not, though, one day you are going to have to say goodbye to them. You won’t be able to be with them physically any longer. This may happen when they go off to college. Maybe later. When this day arrives, one of the things you may say to them is that at while you can’t be with them physically anymore, you will be with them in spirit.

That’s a nice sentiment, but does it really mean anything? I mean, what does your thinking about them actually do to benefit them. They don’t know when or if you are thinking about them. If they find themselves in a tight spot, your thoughts won’t do much to help. As it turns out, you’re being with them in spirit is a fairly meaningless assurance.

When Jesus was preparing the disciples for His forthcoming departure by way of His death and later ascension back to the Father, one of the things He assured them of was a little like our promising to be with someone in spirit. He said that when He left, He would send “the Counselor” to them. The Counselor is the Holy Spirit, and His (not “its” because the Holy Spirit is a person) arrival would be such a good thing that it was actually for the disciples’ benefit that Jesus was leaving them.

Now, in purely practical terms, the disciples surely thought this was nonsense. How could Jesus’ leaving be better for them than His staying? Well, because He was going to be with them in spirit. But wait! I thought we just established that being present with someone physically is better than being present with them spiritually. It is…except when it comes to Jesus.

Jesus’ promising to be with the disciples and all His future followers all the way down to you and me in spirit was not like our similar assurances of such a thing. This is because the God we serve isn’t unitary in nature like we are. He exists as Father, Son, and Spirit. Each member of this triune person is fully God. When you engage with one member of the Trinity, it’s not like you are engaging with just one third of God. You get the whole package with each person. Because of this, when Jesus left with the assurance that the Spirit was coming, it was like Jesus wasn’t leaving at all.

Instead, God was coming to be with them in an even more intimate and comprehensive a way than Jesus, limited as He was by His full humanity, could never have achieved. Jesus could only be with the disciples in one place and at one time. Because the Holy Spirit is not so limited by physicality, He can be in many places at the same time. I can be engaging with Him at the same time you are engaging with Him, and both are engaging with all of Him. He doesn’t have to somehow subdivide Himself out in order to engage with more people. He is fully present everywhere at the same time.

The Holy Spirit plays all sorts of important roles in the growth and development of our faith, in our sanctification to use the theological word. He teaches us the things Jesus didn’t have time to impart. He helps us more fully and clearly understand what Jesus did teach us directly. He abides with us so that we are never alone. He guides us so that we know best how to follow Jesus’ example. He transforms us so that we reflect God’s character more fully. He convicts us when we are deviating from that path so that we can get back on the right track.

If Jesus hadn’t ever had left, He couldn’t have done all of these things for all of His followers. Because He is with us now as the Spirit (rather than merely in spirit), He can do all of this for us and more. This is indeed a great gift from our God. It is a wow gift.

And here’s the thing: if you follow Jesus, then you have the Holy Spirit with you like this. You received that gift the moment you said yes to His offer of salvation. There’s no extra test to pass or hurdle to clear. He was fully with you from the moment you embraced Jesus as Lord.

So, the next time you are feeling disconnected from God, remember that nothing could be further from the truth. He is with you. He will always be with you. You are not alone. Ever. Enjoy this wow factor gift. It is a great one indeed.