We Are Not Orphans

We Are Not Orphans
By Lori Ennis
“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. John 14:18

My mom died almost 20 years ago. Breast cancer stole her and I felt orphaned. To Be honest, I still do, sometimes.

Because there’s just something about the one whose heart you’ve heard from the inside… the one who put so much effort, love, and purpose into simply bringing you into the world. When she’s gone…her presence is mightily missed.

I imagine that the disciples felt similarly as Jesus spoke to them and told them that though He was leaving, He wasn’t *really* leaving. 

Their hearts were troubled, and Jesus was purposeful in using that term–orphan. In those days, an orphan was penniless, homeless and without a parent. Jesus knew His disciples were about to face tough times. 

As gently as a loving parent does, Jesus explained He’d not leave them as orphans, and that the Holy Spirit would be their Helper. In fact, in John 16:7-8, He tells them that it’s to the disciples' advantage that the Holy Spirit comes because He’ll ultimately convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. 

So many days we feel the world's weight, and it seems like it’s against us. We feel alone and distraught–even orphaned.

But the Good News is that we are NOT, as the Holy Spirit is with us ALWAYS and helps us through whatever our circumstances may bring. He’s the Spirit of Grace, the Spirit of Truth, the Spirit of Holiness and the Spirit of Life and it’s through the Spirit that we are no longer orphans. Instead, as Paul says in Galatians 4:6-7, we “Are sons… hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”  Therefore you are … a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” Hallelujah!