Within or Without?

I've often wondered what it would be like to have Jesus as a friend in the flesh. I mean here. Beside me. Talking with me day by day. Sitting next to me on my drive into work. Eating breakfast with me in my kitchen.

I wonder what it would be like to listen to him tell a parable. To have him explain life's lessons to me in a way I can relate. Sometimes I think I'd like to trade places with one of his disciples so that I could see Jesus face to face.

We're in the midst of a sermon series at our church. It is a sermon series about the Holy Spirit. After listening to a couple sermons on the Holy Spirit, I asked myself the following question: "If I had to choose, would I rather have Jesus beside me or the Holy Spirit within me?"

Hmmm. That's a tough question. After weighing the options, I decided I would choose the Holy Spirit within me. Here's why:

I liken the Holy Spirit within me to being pregnant. For some of you, I know you can't relate, nor will you ever, but let me try to explain. I loved being pregnant. Other than the fact that I was big as a moose and literally had to steer my belly to maneuver through doorways and such, there is nothing that compares to being pregnant. During pregnancy, there is the knowledge that life is inside you. Growing. Life that goes with you wherever you go. Life that you can feel. Life that is intimate.  

As weird as this sounds, a part of me felt lonely after my children were born. Sure, I could hold them, cradle them, smell them, touch them and talk to them. But here's the thing. They were no longer with me every minute of every day. I could be separated from them. I didn't feel their every movement. I couldn't sense their hiccups in the middle of the night. Eventually, kids grow up, and then we're apart for days and weeks on end.

So if I had to choose between Jesus in the flesh or the Holy Spirit within me, I would choose the Holy Spirit. Life in me. Always. Everywhere.

While it's a good question to ponder, here's the best part.

The wonderful part is this: when you accept Jesus in your life, you get a three-for-one package. You get God, the Father, the Almighty Creator of the universe. You take home Jesus, your Savior and mine. And then, if that doesn't already blow your mind away, the Holy Spirit takes up residence inside of you. He's the intimate, emotional, heartfelt driver of your life. Who wouldn't take the three for one package?

Read the following passage slowly. It is powerful, full of promise:

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Romans 15:13

Who wouldn't want to be pregnant for life!