Today’s reading: John 16:5-15
When Jesus tells the disciples He is going away, they don’t want to hear it. They want Jesus to stay and continue on as their teacher and leader. Jesus, however, knows that what’s best is God’s plan–His death on the cross, His resurrection, His return to heaven and then the sending of the Holy Spirit who will help, comfort and equip the disciples as they spread the Gospel message.
Sometimes the thing we think we don’t want and try so hard to avoid is actually the very thing we need. As I look back over the past several years, I can see clearly (hindsight is truly 20-20) that some of my biggest struggles and hurts were necessary for me to grow spiritually. God knew best and used those situations to move me forward and into a place where I could serve Him even better. That being the case, my heart went out to the disciples as I read John 16:5-15. However, I’m pretty sure that only a few years later they, like me, could see clearly that God’s plan (Jesus leaving and the Holy Spirit coming) was best.
When has God used what seemed like a bad circumstance or situation to draw you closer to Him, grow you spiritually and move you forward in serving Him? What does this passage reveal about God wanting the best for us and putting things in place for that to happen? Tami
Source: Tami’s Blog
