The Nature of Loveনমুনা

Dolphin

“I do it myself!” the toddler says, and we smile. The little darling might be able to get her shoes on or navigate the steps up the slide, but we want to help. We know that with our assistance, everything will go easier. And besides—it’s in our nature to help.

In the dolphin world there are assistants too! Dolphin social groups often employ “aunties” to help out at baby deliveries or watch over young ones while the mother goes off to hunt. These helping auntie dolphins play a vital role in raising the young, guarding them against danger, helping the mother, and keeping the social life working smoothly in the dolphin kingdom. They are integral to teaching the young dolphins manners and how to stay safe.

Dolphins have also been known to rescue sailors and swimmers stranded in the ocean and protect them from sharks. They seem to have an innate sense when someone’s in trouble and needs help.

In our spiritual lives, God has provided us a helper, too: His Holy Spirit.

We like to think, “I’ll do it myself.” But this is not how we were designed. Our lives were created to work in harmony with our helper. Jesus said to His disciples, “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you” (John 14:16–18 NASB).

If you were raised in a church that referred to the Holy Spirit as the Holy Ghost, this topic may seem a little woo-woo. But the Holy Spirit is part of our triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Therefore, He has the same nature and love as the Father and Son—equal in purpose and intent. And if Jesus said we need the Holy Spirit, we might want to pay attention.

Scripture says the Holy Spirit is to be our helper (John 14:16–18); He enables us to bear witness with courage (Acts 4:8–12); intercedes in prayer for us (Romans 8:26–27); gives us wisdom in what to say (Luke 12:11–12); and guided Jesus in the wilderness (Luke 4:1). In our times of fear, insecurity, and confusion, isn’t it wonderful to know we can rely on the same helper the disciples and Jesus did?

“God helps those who help themselves” is not in the Bible, thank God! But this is: “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16 NIV).

You don’t have to do it all yourself. The nature of love is kind and helpful—and available to you.