I posted a blog last week about the desperate need in the church for a reawakening to the Holy Spirit’s presence and power. Some might call that a revival. Perhaps that is the right word, but what I do know is we cannot hope for the supernatural work of God by employing human strategies and maneuvers.  Listen, we are not gonna out organize, out build, out cool the world. Even if we could, it would not bear fruit that remains.

I will say that something amazing is percolating at Immanuel (the church I am part of), and in some ways, I cannot even tell you why. It isn’t like we are doing anything really different. Maybe it is just us keeping our ears and eyes a little more sensitive. I will let you know more as things unfold.

The thing I want to write about today is on a bit of a more practical level. After writing last week, one young friend asked me what I’ve been talking about even look like. Here is one swipe at where it shows up.

As I wrote last week, Jesus over and over told his followers that he had to leave, and when he did, the Father would send another comforter…the Holy Spirit.  He said, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth.” (John 14:16-17a) and in another place he stated, “But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” (John 16:7) The word advocate here in the original language is “parakletos.” It is translated many ways such as, comforter or counselor or even, helper. My former prof, Dale Bruner uses the phrase “True Friend” to describe the parakletos. 

In his elegant and pastoral commentary on the Gospel of John, Jean Vanier writes about the term saying:

“Etymologically, the word “paraclete” means “the one who answers the call.” What a beautiful name! God is the one who answers the cry of the weak and those in need. A mother is a “paraclete” for her child when she answers the cry of her little one, holds and loves him or her. Every time we look after a person in need and answer their cry, we become paracletes. Jesus was a paraclete for his disciples. The Paraclete is given to those who are lonely and need the presence of a friend, to those who are lost and poor in spirit and who cry out to God.”

Jean Vanier

So, back to what might this Holy Spirit-filled life look like? If we use Vanier’s words as a catalyst, trusting in the leading of the Holy Spirit, we become a Paraclete to others. Do you get that? We become a comfort to others. We become an advocate for others. We become, as Bruner stated, “a True Friend.”

A prayer that might help is, “Lord, who might I be a paraclete for this week? Who around me needs a Paraclete? Who is the Holy Spirit bringing to my mind?

Can we be, in the power and love of the gracious Spirit, the ones who are a paraclete for others? Or as Vanier asserts, “…the one who answers the call?”