A sci-fi flick. A superhero movie. A tense, psychological thriller.
Each of these movies (made by my son’s favorite director) have different styles, different genres and different storylines, but my son has seen them all, simply because of the man who directed them.
The interesting thing is that never once does that director appear in any of these films. Though you never see him, you know and respect him, simply because of his work.
So it is with the Holy Spirit in our lives.
The Holy Spirit never takes center stage in the life of a Christian, but it’s always the One behind the scenes, leading, guiding and directing. This was the role that Jesus promised he would play when he foretold his coming to his disciples:
“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.”
— John 16:13
Ironically, the Director of our lives is himself being directed:
“He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.”
— John 16:14
And the message that he shares from Jesus has yet another source:
“All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.”
— John 16:15
The Holy Spirit leads us with the insight that he gains from Jesus, who himself receives it from his Father. This intimate fellowship between Father, Son and Holy Spirit is made even more incredible by the fact that we too can partake in it – if we allow ourselves to be guided by the Holy Spirit into the truth that is at the heart of that fellowship.
Too often, we live our lives outside of this fellowship, coming up with our own lines, our own scenes and our own plot line for the story of our lives. There is an innate tendency in each one of us to live our lives director-less or to try to take on the director role for ourselves.
But, just as great movies aren’t made without great directors, great lives are only possible when guided by our Holy Director. And this greatness is not defined by success or accomplishment, but by satisfaction. For, unlike movie directors, whose goal is to skillfully mimic reality, our Director leads us into a life of ultimate reality — a life that is real, genuine and fulfilling — the life we were created for.
When the last scene of your life is finished, whose name will be on the credits?