Champions Community Church

A few nights ago I went with my nephew to his "meet the teacher" night at school. He'll be a Kindergarten student this year, and we wanted to go and make sure that he (and we) were comfortable with where he would be spending nearly 40 hours/week. The principal of the school welcomed us and gave a 20 minute talk about the school and about how we can "prepare our children to learn." In his speech he said something that I thought was interesting, he encouraged the parents to create some reminder of home - and send it with the students to school. The little item should be small enough to fit into their pocket, he said, and yet significant enough to comfort them while they're away from home. He went on to explain how this simple item can give them the confidence they need to excel in the classroom. I thought it was an incredible proposition!

My mind immediately began to race, thinking of what we could send with Steve Michael: a small toy, a charm, a picture of his uncle Chase ;), a Wii Remote (still trying to figure out how to fit it into his pocket) - honestly, it's kind of a tough premise: find something small enough to fit into a pocket and yet significant enough to comfort a person.

As I was trying to fulfill the task of finding this item, I began to think about God (preachers ought to do that from time to time), and about how this situation with my nephew's school relates to our time on this earth.

God sent his Son to earth for meet the teacher night (maybe better termed "teach the teacher" night). He sent Him to make sure that we would have all the tools necessary to properly navigate our time here. Jesus arrived from Heaven, checked out the place, righted some wrongs, made sure the teachers were up to speed and, finally, took care of the school bully. After completing His mission and just before leaving for home, He made us an incredible proposition:

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; (John 14:16)

He knew there would be times where we'd fail tests, encounter frustration and long for home. He knew there would be days where we'd feel detached from Him and even days where we'd wonder why He'd dropped us off here in the first place. He knew about all of those things - and so He decided to send us "a little something from home" to comfort us.

If finding something to comfort a 5 year old for a few hours is tough - how tough is it to find something that can comfort the soul of a man, for a lifetime? So tough, in fact, that only God himself could do it. He sent us himself: a comforter wonderful enough to live inside of us and powerful enough to console us - even in the worst of circumstances.

Do you know the comfort of His Spirit? Do you know the solace that this Reminder from Home brings? Do you know the power and the confidence that comes along with the Spirit of God? It can be yours today - all you have to do is ask, look at what Jesus said:

"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" (Luke 11:11-13)

I pray that you will be filled to overflowing with the Spirit of God and with the realization of all that His Spirit brings!

Chase