The Advocate

I am currently experiencing just a shadow of what Jesus probably feels when He stands before the Father’s throne to advocate on our behalf.

I have been mentoring a student teacher at work. She has really invested her energies, time and passion into embracing and enhancing the spirit of our school. She is a wonderfully creative teacher, participates in extra curricular activities, is the first to volunteer for the task no one else wants and even teaches a yoga class for the staff after work once a week.

A vacancy has come up in our department, and I was almost sure that she would be a shoe in for the spot. I mean what could any unknown off the street offer to challenge the good that we already know?

But I can’t shake the feeling that the top brass aren’t sold on her, and that feeling was confirmed by the appointment email that popped up today asking me to sit in on an interview with another subject.

I suppose that by law vacancies have to be advertized, but I guess some little part of me was expecting the “wink and nod, she’s in, don’t worry” routine.

So now, I’m her advocate. I probably know her best, have spent time with her, seen her up days and down days, seen her brilliant ideas and her stupid ideas. Of everyone on that campus I probably am most aware of her instructional strengths and weaknesses, and most of all she is petitioning to be a part of MY family, my department, so I would hope that my opinion and feedback would matter.

Even if on her own merit, she does not satisfy whatever invisible ‘requirement’ it is that the administrators are looking for, I am hoping that the trust that those individuals have in me, and my judgement, will be enough to atone for whatever is missing and open the door for a lifetime carreer in a place that she loves to work.

It’s a heavy burden. I feel the discomfort of having to acknowlege to her that she appears not to be ‘good enough’ on her own, yet the comfort of of knowing that I will do everything in my power to see that she gets a fair shake.

Why?  Because I want her to be a part of my team. 

And my earthly stress is but a pale shadow of our Lord’s.

He too must help us understand that we are not ‘good enough’ on our own. Even with all of the good works and kind deeds that we have done. He too has to stand as an advocate before the throne and say forgive them their failings for my life’s blood sake. You entusted me with their spirits at Calvary, in time they will grow to spiritual maturity. Do not turn away from them in anger.

My bosses are under no obligation to accept my advocacy. In the end, she really is on her own, unless she committs her way to the Lord and asks Him to open a closed door. (if it really is closed)

Thankfully, Jesus’ death and resurrection marked the beginning of a blood covenant between God and His creation, and it’s our Lord’s full time job to intercede and advocate on the behalf of those who believe, before the throne.

Thank God that our heavenly advocate has an eternity’s worth more influence than that of any earthly advocate that we may ever have.

And I sure do keep Him busy!

His Handmaiden