Have you ever had the honor of representing someone else? It’s not only an honor, but also a great responsibility when you know that someone else’s reputation depends on how you act on their behalf. Most of us don't think of ourselves as ambassadors, but the truth is that wherever we go we represent someone. We represent our families. We represent our churches. When we travel outside the U.S. we represent our country. If we identify ourselves as Christians then always we represent Jesus, whether we are aware of it or not.

On a mission trip I had the opportunity to accompany a woman who was representing an organization hoping to bring a conference to a neighboring country. The leader of the organization sent her as his emissary. She felt the weight of the responsibility to represent him and the organization well so that those we met with would respond positively to the invitation to partner. As the ambassador, she had the authority to speak for the leader. He had given her his words, his ideas, his plans. Her job was to deliver what was his to this small group. Her success was success for the leader, not for herself. Her success was success for the organization, not for herself. Even though she may have received some approbation for her work as spokesperson, ultimately the success belonged to the leader. Her job was to take what was his and deliver it and then to take back what she received from the group and deliver it to the leader.

Similarly, the job of the Holy Spirit is to speak to us what Jesus wants us to know and to act on His behalf. He is our direct link to Jesus. He delivers to us Jesus’ thoughts, plans and ideas. He represents Jesus to us. He brings glory to Jesus by taking what is His and giving it to us. Then as we respond positively He brings the glory back to Jesus and makes Him known through us. Jesus loves us so much that He didn’t want to leave us wandering through the world. He sent us His direct representatitive, the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit’s role is to lift up Jesus. When Jesus is glorified, the Holy Spirit is satisfied. The Holy Spirit will always work to bring focus back to Jesus, rather than to Himself. He will always point to Jesus. His job is to take from what belongs to Jesus through the Father and give it to us. And when you and I respond positively to what the Holy Spirit delivers to us on Jesus’ behalf, Jesus is also glorified. And then the Holy Spirit is satisfied. How amazing that God loves you and me so much that He gives us a direct representatitive! We don’t have to wonder what Jesus thinks. We don’t wander as unprotected orphans. We have the Holy Spirit with us every day, every moment. He is with us to make sure that we know what Jesus’s wants us to know, and He helps us do what Jesus wants us to do, so that we can be who Jesus wants us to be. Thank You, Lord, for sending us the Holy Spirit!

Do you recognize the work of the Holy Spirit in your life? You may be asking, “How do I recognize the work of the Holy Spirit in me?” When Jesus is glorified in my your life, and mine, then the Holy Spirit is at work. When a Scripture comes to mind at just the right time to give you strength, courage or hope, the Holy Spirit is at work. When you act on what you have read in the Word, the Holy Spirit is at work. When your behavior reflects the character of Christ, then the Holy Spirit is at work. When you give away the love that you have received from God, then the Holy Spirit is at work.

Too often, we try to bring attention to the Holy Spirit. It is possible that He hides from us at those times. His one desire is to bring glory to Jesus. To show us more about Jesus. To make us more like Jesus. The fruit that the Holy Spirit produces in our lives, (Galatians 5:22-23) is the character of Christ. When I am more like Jesus that is evidence that the Holy Spirit has been at work in my life. He takes what belongs to Jesus and delivers it to me, and to you.

Beloved, you don’t have to wonder what Jesus wants you to know. He has sent the Holy Spirit to you so that you can be certain. You will know that you are hearing the Holy Spirit when Jesus, the Word of God, is glorified. You will know that you are receiving from the Holy Spirit what belongs to Jesus when you display the character of Christ, the fruit or evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work in your life. The Holy Spirit brings glory to Jesus in your life and mine by taking what is His and giving it to us. How awesome is that?!

Key thought: The Holy Spirit is my direct link to Jesus.

A Scripture to consider: “He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you.” ‭‭John‬ ‭16:14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

A YES challenge: Are you missing the Holy Spirit’s work in your life? Take some time to consider how the Holy Spirit is bringing glory to Jesus in you. What is one challenge that you are facing right now with the Holy Spirit’s help?

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for sending the Holy Spirit to help me know what You want me to know and be who You want me to be. Help me to become more aware of the Holy Spirit at work in me on a daily basis so that I can bring glory to You. I love you, Lord. Amen.