Jesus-Christ, the greatest gift that humanity has ever received, made this surprising statement: “It is to your advantage that I go away…” (John 16:7, NKJV) For centuries, crowds awaited the promised Messiah. Each mother dreamed of holding in her arms the child that would put a stop to injustice and suffering. Barely had the name of Immanuel, that is, “God with us”, passed the lips that Jesus was already announcing his departure. His words, “Let not your heart be troubled, I go away”, resonated in the hearts of the disciples.
For many, questions are numerous: Is it possible that we must after the Ascension be satisfied with Jesus’ absence? Would the lives of God’s children be characterized by simply waiting, just as they were for years before the miracle in Bethlehem? How is it possible to consider the two-thousand-year delay without believing that God is distancing Himself from the affairs of this planet?
But the reality is entirely different. Jesus’ departure changed everything. We have not come back to the same type of waiting period as before the coming of the Messiah. This time, all the advantages are on our side, and not only because of the cross and of the resurrection. The main advantage resides in the qualities of our Counsellor.
If we speak of a departure, we must not forget an arrival: the arrival of the dove, the divine breath, the fire that warms the hearts wounded by life’s challenges. Yes, the Spirit of God makes all the difference. His presence appeases and invigorates. His voice leads us into all truth. His action strengthens us, sealing us unto eternal life.
Because of Him, we wait without despairing. By His strength, we triumph without becoming weary. Thanks to His salvific action, we become children of God without ever feeling condemned. On His road, we move forward without slowing down.
In fact, nothing can be accomplished, in one’s personal life, nor in the life of the church without the impulse originating from the Holy Spirit. There is no progress, no piety, no worship, and of course no evangelism possible without His taking more space in the heart. As Paul Josef Cordes said, “It is the Spirit of God that arouses the holiness of man. All we have to do is to prepare in our lives a space for this Spirit.”
I sincerely pray that God will grant us His grace so that we may be animated by His Spirit, where we will have as a priority the preparation of a space for Him. “Heavenly Father, we ask You to please give us Your Holy Spirit and to give it to us always anew, that He may wake us up, enlighten us, encourage us and help us to risk big and small steps, for the consolation by which we seek to comfort ourselves, to lead us to hope in you. Turn us away from looking at ourselves in order to look to you; keep us from turning away from your sight. Do not allow us to seek for solutions without you. Reveal to us your magnificence and show us how much it is admirable to confide in you and to obey You. (Karl Barth, To come in God’s presence)
The good news is that God is ready to grant us this marvellous gift. Let us ask and we shall receive. I have no doubt that He will grant us what we desire of Him. “As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.” (Hosea 6:3, NIV )