At the age of 21, writer Emily Owen contracted a rare neurological disease, losing her hearing and developing mobility problems. One day, her seven-year-old niece, who loved the adventure of travelling on the top deck of the bus, invited Emily to travel by bus to a local museum.
“One of the buses has a wheelchair place, so you can use that,” the girl explained. “And I will sit in the wheelchair place with you.”
Emily was touched. Rather than going to the top deck alone, her niece prioritised being with Emily.
Emily saw the wheelchair space as a metaphor for the hard things in life, those places we find ourselves in that we haven’t chosen. When life is tough, it means the world to have a friend consoling us. But even without a friend physically near us, we have God.
Jesus knew that his disciples would be living without him after his death and resurrection, and they needed comfort. “I will not leave you as orphans,” Jesus promised, “I will come to you” (John 14:18). Additionally, Jesus promised the disciples—and us—the Holy Spirit, “another advocate to help you and be with you forever” (v. 16).
Whenever you feel abandoned, picture sitting on either side of you Jesus, who is “with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20) and the Holy Spirit, your advocate and helper. We are never truly alone.
By Tanya Marlow
REFLECT & PRAY
What situations are you facing that feel a place you haven’t chosen? Whom can you ‘sit with’ as they face hard times?
Dear Jesus, thank You that You do not abandon me. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for knowing me, helping me and being with me.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
The verse immediately prior to John 14:15–26 is often misunderstood. Jesus said, “You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it” (v. 14). This “asking” must be properly understood. Christ promised the Holy Spirit would “help you and be with you forever” (v. 16) and would “teach you all things” (v. 26 ). The apostle Paul said, “The Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God” (Romans 8:27). When we pray in the Spirit, we ask not out of selfishness but according to “the will of God.”
Tim Gustafson
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