The Deeper Meaning Behind What God Called Me to Give Up for Lent
How is the Holy Spirit Your Advocate?
Photo By: Flickr/Lawrence OP
This year, I’ve been thinking a lot about the word “Advocate” for the Holy Spirit. How is the Holy Spirit my and your Advocate in our daily lives? In other words, how is the Holy Spirit working for our good?
As I watch the Spirit moving in my own life, I see how things move in the direction of what is best for me over time. Challenges are overcome. Wounds are healed. Bad habits are conquered. Sins diminish. Spiritually I grow more "whole" and united to God. My life and work evolves in new fruitful directions. New branches of service emerge from the vine. The right words are said at the right time. Problems are solved. Ideas come. Insights are given.
Indeed, the Holy Spirit advocates for me every day gently pressing me onward to God’s ultimate goodness for me in the daily development of my Christian personhood.
During this time, we can easily become distressed and wonder if God is against us with all the suffering in our midst. But if we look closely, every event -- even the negative ones -- in our lives works for our eventual good. The Holy Spirit is always for us, not against us, as our Advocate.
Our lives change when we realize this beautiful truth and hold onto it. God wants nothing more than to love us, be with us, guide us, and move us in the direction of His plan which is always for our ultimate good -- to live with Him in eternal glory someday.
How is the Holy Spirit advocating for you?
About the Author
Katie Zalany lives in Cleveland Ohio. She is a Third Order Secular Franciscan (OFS), spiritual director, benefits/wellness leader, and certified health and life coach. She volunteers with St. Vincent de Paul Society serving the poor, is an active mentor to many individuals, and a prolific writer. Her writing interests and focus areas include spiritual development, reflections on the Gospel life, Franciscian spirituality, prayer, and integration of faith and work/daily living. She is the published author of Called to Corporate: Lessons of Growing in Faith and Holiness from the Corporate Cubicle.
