Bearing Witness

“But when the Counselor comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness to Me.” John 15:26


I've decided to start blogging again. :) It seems that just as I deleted my old xanga because I didn't have anything to say or time to say it, I've had so many thoughts that I've wanted to share. So, to start, I'll explain the name of my new blog:

My Dad sometimes calls me "paracletos" as a sort of endearing joke between the two of us. Paracletos is Greek for "Advocate," "Helper," or possibly "Comforter." It is often used to describe lawyers. It is also used often to describe the Holy Spirit in the Bible as "comforter" and is used to describe Christ as "advocate." When I was at my parents' home church one Sunday, the Pastor spoke of a "paracletos" as a counselor, an advocate, or someone who "bears witness" for another.

I always knew that I wanted to be a counselor. I thought I would go to law school, or if the Spirit led, I would go to seminary and be a Christian counselor. I've always been intrigued by the law in general (American law, Hebrew law). I was home schooled for a while growing up which not a lot of people know, but the curriculum was different and a little more advanced, so I was reading a Government book in about 4th grade. I found it so interesting. My mom would laugh because I would sit and read this huge Government book for about an hour, but I had no interest in doing my division/multiplication or reading in my science book.

I have always been a little bit whimsical or contemplative. I love the Ann of Green Gables series because I identify with her in so many ways. For that reason, I found English Literature to be a world of wonder and majored in that in college.

I've often wondered why I have these two parts to myself - the artistic side and the practical side. I love being disciplined, having a deadline, and achieving goals on the one hand, but on the other, I love walking through the trees and wildflowers on my grandparents' ranch for hours without a thought to what time it is.

I know how much people need the LORD. For this reason, I often thought a great way to use my life would be to help people in their day to day lives - to find meaning, to find purpose, to find joy - to find Him. I thought I may want to do counseling.

Yet, here I find myself in law school. I've always wanted to be here for as long as I can recall. I've always liked law. I minored in Religion and Politics because I find it so fascinating. I love debating even though I've been out of real practice for so long.

I love being an advocate.


I love my Dad calling me a "paracletos" because I feel like it helps me find a sense of identity - a sense of who I am. I've never been able to make much sense of it - these two parts to my character. Yet, it is here in this word "paracletos" that it all becomes clear.

I am a counselor - an advocate - one who "bears witness." This is my purpose. As a lawyer or in Christian ministry, I know who I am. I know His gifting for me, and when I doubt or fail, I can appeal to the very highest advocate of all - My LORD is pleading my case for me to the Father and I know He cares for me. His intercession for me is the most blessed thing I can think of in life.



For those who are interested, here is more on the Biblical meaning of "paracletos:"

comforter - Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary : Comforter the designation of the Holy Ghost (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7; R.V. marg., "or Advocate, or Helper; Gr. paracletos"). The same Greek word thus rendered is translated "Advocate" in 1 John 2:1 as applicable to Christ. It means properly "one who is summoned to the side of another" to help him in a court of justice by defending him, "one who is summoned to plead a cause." "Advocate" is the proper rendering of the word in every case where it occurs. It is worthy of notice that although Paul nowhere uses the word paracletos, he yet presents the idea it embodies when he speaks of the "intercession" both of Christ and the Spirit (Rom. 8:27, 34).