John 14:15-21

What I love most about today's Gospel reading from John is its directness. I often find scripture mired in hidden meanings, innuendo and references which often seem contradictory to modern-day interpretation or translation. Sometimes it's difficult to know what God really wants from us.

John is mercifully clear, however, when delivering this message from Christ:

"If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever."

Jesus, of course, is talking about sending the Holy Spirit - the Spirit of Truth - to take his physical place once he is gone, providing us with comfort and direction until his return.

As someone who is prone to worry and anxiety, it's a comforting, direct and unmistakable promise. I especially love verse 18 where he goes on to say:

"I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you."

"Orphaned" is a pretty strong word. Jesus - or John's interpretation of Jesus' words - doesn't simply say, "I will not leave you." He says, "I will not leave you orphaned."

"Orphaned" means lacking support, supervision or care. It also means to be deprived of one's parents. I'm blessed to have the support and presence of my father; in fact, he's visiting with us for the first time this evening.

He's patiently listened to me over the past couple of months weigh my plans - and indeed my worries - about the future as I have been both interviewing for a new job and considering going back to school for a Master's degree.

And I don't mind telling you that I'm typically not a very patient person. I want to know what's coming, I want to know how things will turn out, I want to make my decisions based upon reliable data and information.

Unfortunately, we don't always have the luxury of reliable data and information, or a crystal ball to see how things will turn out. Sometimes you just have to step out in faith.

Other times it is hard to hear among life's countless interruptions and distractions and I can tell you that most of the time I'm not sure if my "stepping out in faith" is actually a leap over a cliff.

I also believe that sometimes God calls us to simply wait patiently where we are until He's ready to move us to the next point in our lives, and that can be equally as challenging and disconcerting.

What we do know and can believe is that we are not alone on our journey. Psalm 139:7 reads, "Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence?"