Most passengers were asleep. The night watch manned the bridge as we prepared to dock for another sunny Italian excursion. Looking from our balcony, I seemed to be the only one watching the approach- then with a throaty roar, the Pilot Boat ran alongside then pulled away again, scarcely giving the Pilot time to change decks.
It was a critical moment. Now, the Captain was PROBABLY quite capable of managing the port entrance. But the Pilot is a local expert, familiar with currents, sandbanks and the traffic flow. Maritime law requires the Captain to hand over command (and responsibility) to the Pilot. Orders are issued with full authority; and the safety of the vessel and passengers is placed into expert hands. It would be truly foolish to refuse the expertise of the Pilot!
Most of the people on board didn’t know what was happening, and had never been introduced to this new “officer.” They woke up and went for breakfast completely at ease, completely safe, and our day went smoothly. Theirs was a simple trust.
A fresh destination, fresh opportunities, fresh challenges. To arrive in safety we needed a Helper.
In John 14, Jesus is talking to his inner circle of trusted followers; and He is trying to prepare them for what was to come. In one of the most profound promises He gave, Jesus explained the work of the Holy Spirit of God, and told us that this Helper will always be with us.
Imagine trying to navigate life without this Helper! Yet many people neither know nor care about the availability of the Spirit of God- and they are left only with the maps and insights of non-experts.
John 14:16-30
"I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper to be with you forever. The Helper is the Spirit of truth. The people of the world cannot accept him, because they don’t see him or know him."
We humans sometimes play a game- "Captain for a day" - where we get to run the ship and give all the orders. It's a fine fantasy, but a dreadful reality! Everyone is at risk when the wrong Captain is in charge. The point of the analogy is obvious. Who steers the ship? Who is directing our progress? Because of God's grace, we do have a say in it. Choose wisely...
The Reflectionary 