Transformed – teen devotion – May 19, 2024

One truth shared: The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are active in our lives today. 

“When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me.”

John 15:26

We Are Not Alone

Imagine your typical high school musical. You see the stage. You see the scenery. You hear the music playing. POOF! The spotlight flips on, and there is the lead character. Despite a changing teen voice that occasionally falters, he does a marvelous job in the opening scene. Then the curtain closes. A few moments later the curtain opens again, but this time in a different scene. Another character takes the lead this time. She does an amazing job too! You see, both characters are equally important, but at different times each has a different role to play—sometimes in the lead and sometimes in support.

In a somewhat similar way, God has operated in this world in different phases or stages. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit have always been equal in power and authority. They are three equal persons in one true God. However, starting with creation, it was God the Father who took more of the center stage as Maker and Preserver of this world. The Son and the Spirit were certainly around and active, but they didn’t take the spotlight.

When Jesus was born, a new scene began. This time he took the lead as our substitute and Savior from sin. The Father and the Spirit were certainly around and active, but they didn’t take the spotlight. Once Jesus ascended back to heaven, the curtain closed on that scene as a new one was about to begin.

That new scene was the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came in a miraculous and marvelous way. He empowered the disciples to be bold witnesses and more than 3,000 people came to faith and were baptized. From that point forward and to the present, the Holy Spirit has had center stage. Now it is the Holy Spirit who is taking a more active role in the life of the Church. The Father and the Son have been and still are certainly around and active, but they aren’t taking the spotlight, so to speak.

This is what Jesus was promising and foretelling in John 15. He talked about the “Advocate” who would come to testify to the truth. An advocate is someone who speaks on behalf of or helps someone else. The Holy Spirit is that Advocate. When we share the good news of Jesus the Son of God, the Father sends the Spirit on his behalf. The Holy Spirit is the one who works people’s hearts. The Holy Spirit is the one who brings people to faith and then strengthens faith. And, the Holy Spirit is the one who fills us with courage and boldness to witness like those first disciples did.

It can be easy to feel alone at times and wonder, “Where is God?” Know that the Father is still our Maker and Preserver. He’s not standing on the sidelines, but actively working to preserve and protect us. Know that the Son is still our Savior. He’s not standing on the sidelines, but actively coming to us through the Gospel in Word and sacraments. Know that the Spirit is still our Advocate and Guide. He’s not standing on the sidelines, but actively working in people’s hearts when the Word and Sacraments are used. Praise be to God—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—who actively works in our lives!

Prayer:Holy Spirit, fill me with comfort knowing that you are always working and with me. Then fill me with courage to be a bold witness to others confidence to know that you will work through my words. Amen.