Thinking about the Holy Spirit

John 16:14 - "He will  glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you."

     One of the main areas that I have been challenged in theologically through seminary thus far is in my understanding of the Holy Spirit.  Like many Christians, I have always understood that the Holy Spirit is God, just like the Father and the Son.  I have always had a somewhat vague understanding of what His work is, that as a believer I am indwelt of the Spirit, etc.  I have never really been challenged to take it any deeper than that, and I am beginning to understand what a mistake that is.  There is a new depth of God (not that I need any new depths to be made aware of--it's not like I can begin to understand Him now!) that I am starting to appreciate as I  learn and reflect more on the Holy Spirit.  I am halfway scared to even write much along the lines of reflecting on the Spirit, for fear of unintentional heresy.  I'll try and keep my meditations brief and bound by Scripture, always with an attitude of worship.
     The Holy Spirit seems to be the most mysterious person of the Godhead.  While in Father and Son we have the luxury of analogous human relationships by which to at least begin to wrap our minds around those roles, there really is no such thing with regards to the Spirit.  While on the one hand that could be perceived as something of a stumbling block, I have begun to realize that the Spirit has been given His own unique role, and it is significant indeed.  I believe Jesus tells us what it is in the verse I reference above: The Spirit's role is to glorify the Son, which in turn glorifies the Father.  As God, only the Spirit can do this adequately.  The fact that He was sent as our Helper, to assist us in doing that, is a pretty incredible role indeed, one which we as the benefactors should appreciate a lot more.  In some ways it sounds like something of a background role, not the up front and visible manifestation such as we see in Christ, and I think that is the point.  It is a perfect expression of holiness, love, and humility that the Spirit does not seek attention for itself, but rather perfectly glorifies Father and Son.  The gifts of the Spirit--powerful and mysterious as they are--are not given for our benefit, they are given to glorify God, to make known the saving name of Jesus, that others might, through faith in that sacrifice, become fit vessels for the Spirit of God, Who works to sanctify us for our eternal existence.
      When I talk to God, I am typically thinking of addressing the Father, and at times the Son, but rarely do I think to address the Spirit.  I think sometimes that is because we don't necessarily have a name by which to address the Spirit, at least not in the same sense that we know the Son to be Jesus, or that we are used to using the word 'Father' to address God.  From a human standpoint that might make things a little easier when talking about the Holy Spirit, but I believe that's one of the cool things about the Holy Spirit--a name is not important, otherwise I think we would have been given one.  His name is God, His work is vital, but understated in the sense that it is not about exalting Himself, it is about bearing witness to the work of the Son by which we are able to have fellowship with the Father.  I by no means have my head wrapped around what that means, and thinking about it kind of makes my head heart.
     I will say it has all made me think about the Trinity that much more, and has led to some pretty fantastic moments of worship as I try and think of different ways to explain it in my own mind.  I tend to come up with some kind of scenario, description, or diagram that I think comes close, and even as I begin to be satisfied with myself about it, I realize it misses something, I have to throw it out, and I am just left laughing at myself and usually feeling goosebumps because of how awe-inspiring God truly is.  While God is most certainly exalted and far above anything I can begin to comprehend, in the Trinity I am struck by just how near He comes.  I am watched over by the Father, advocated by the Son, indwelt of the Spirit--now that is omnipresent!  That is a whole new way of thinking about the Lord that is new and fresh to me, and I am thankful to the Lord for revealing it to me.  It has brought a whole new level of comfort, security, and just worship.  It has challenged me to get to know this mysterious person called the Holy Spirit, who has been sent to me, called the Helper.

Triune God, thank you, and WOW.