It’s been a full day here at the Benson’s, hence the late blog entry today. First, I was supremely happy to be back at church this morning. Spending the week in Las Vegas was enough to make me want to spend the next week there at church. We had a guest speaker that spoke on the Holy Spirit. You know, the third person of the Trinity? Lots of Christians tend to steer clear of Him. Many of us were raised to think that the people who focus on Him are looney toons. Holy rollers, wacked out religious fanatics. To some degree that’s true. I don’t mean to offend, but in some Christian circles such emphasis has been placed on the Holy Spirit, and His role in our lives, that they have overdone it. Misrepresented Him. They have made him out to be…. weird.

But in reality the Holy Spirit is our closest ally. The speaker reminded me of a Greek word from my husband’s seminary days: Parakletos. It means to come alongside of.  I think that’s a good thing. I need to know that the Lord has come right snug up against me. I like to think that I can brush elbows with the Almighty if need be. As a child, I would hear that the Lord was with us, and I’d reach my hand out to try to touch Him. Children are literal. Children are also right sometimes.

We sometimes think of the Holy Spirit as an “It”. But the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. The “It” is actually a “He”. He lives, He speaks, He has power, and so much more. He empowers us to do more than we can even imagine we can. He gives us words to speak when we have none. Ever try to tell someone about Jesus, only to find yourself tongue-tied? Then out of nowhere come the words you needed?

 “…for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” Matthew 10:20

Ever try to comfort someone in their desperate time of need, only to once again come up empty? And once again, the Holy Spirit can give you words when you have none. Sometimes I just wish He would do all my talking for me. All of it.

I am still learning all the Holy Spirit is and does in and through me. All He does for me, and on my behalf. After salvation, He is the best gift I have been given. Why would I be weirded out by Him? He is, after all, God. We are all good with God the Father, and God the Son, but this God the Holy Spirit really tends to throw us. And it’s actually a poor name. There isn’t actually an English word to ascribe the true meaning behind who He is really. He is breath. He is wind. He is God with us. And if God is with us, then whom shall we fear? Certainly not the Holy Spirit. We shouldn’t shy away from Him. He is here to help us, comfort us, lead and direct us. It is man’s misunderstanding of Him that makes us feel weird. We have to let go of that. We can’t let someone’s misunderstanding cause us to miss out on our opportunity to snuggle up next to God Himself.