Thoughts for the Day

‘I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

I am pretty useless at Maths! I can check out fairly complicated accounts, but give me anything else, particularly problems, and I run a mile. So learning the way to do long division as a child was a revelation. Attending so many schools, I always seemed to come in at the point where they had just learnt something that I had missed, or were learning something (like fractions) that I had already done three times before. However, this time I understood the pattern of how to do long division, and it all made sense. Though I see that today's children do it a different way!!

In our reading to day, Jesus is explaining to his disciples just before his death, that they are not ready to hear what they need to know. As a child we learn to read simple words and stories before progressing onto more difficult books. Learning is progressive, we wouldn't start with Shakespeare! So it is with God's truth. The Holy Spirit only teaches us what we are able to grasp at any one time, and that truth may come in many forms. For instance, how many of us have learnt about God through the words of a poem or hymn; or the glory of a piece of music; or the intricate beauty of a painting; or the confident words of faith from a friend? Revelation about God only comes when we are ready and open to receive it. Try asking!

Lord Jesus,
You promised to send the Spirit of truth
to Your disciples
to guide them into all truth.
We ask You to open our hearts to Your truth,
in whatever way is best for us to learn.
May we be ready to receive
the words and work of the Holy Spirit,
and continue to grow in faith.
Amen.