As we wrap up 2022 and Mechmas we ask the question… what have all these mech-based movies, animes, and comics taught us about Holy Spirit? Join Celeste as she gives us three specific lessons.
Written Devotion
Over this past month, we’ve consumed a lot of media surrounding mechs! So today, we are going to talk about three lessons I’ve learned about Holy Spirit’s role in our lives that we’ve learned from observing these mech-based movies, animes, and comics!
Holy Spirit Guides Us
In Mobile Suit Gundam Wing, there is a specialized Gundam called Wing Zero. This Gundam has a powerful operating system called the “Zero System.” This system is unique because it has a kind of active learning capability. It observes the battlefield and feeds all possible victory solutions back to the pilot’s mind.
Like this system, as a Christian, Holy Spirit acts a kind of Zero System for us. Holy Spirit is directly connected to God and thus sees everything ahead of us that we can’t comprehend. So we have to learn to listen to Holy Spirit and allow Him to guide us through life.
When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
John 16:13 (English Standard Version | ESV)
Holy Spirit Empowers Us
In Pacific Rim, Humanity finds itself in a terrible place. They face a terrifying otherworldly enemy that they simply don’t have the tools to fight. Enter the Jaegers. The Jaegers were powerful machines that empowered people to complete the ultimate mission, save humanity.
Christians have a particular mission. That mission is to reach the lost and let them know there is hope. Let them know there is a plan and a purpose for their lives. Our mission is to let people know that Jesus has made way for them to be restored to right relationship with God.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Acts 1:8 (English Standard Version | ESV)
We have to work with Holy Spirit.
Throughout every solid Mecha series and movie, you have this learning curve that has to take place. Even when all the machines operate the same, each person has to learn how to operate with them. They have to learn the bare minimum to pilot them, and they have to learn the limits that they can provide. What’s great is a story arc where a new pilot slowly progresses into an Ace pilot who’s in complete sync with their mech—seeing them operate their machines almost instinctually, knowing that it only came from years of hard work and practice.
One of the biggest discouragements in the lives of new Christians is the feeling that they just can’t get things right. They do their best to live the Christian walk but seem to stumble and fall regularly. This frustration is compounded when “more experienced” Christians seem to have little grace for these individuals. The problem simply boils down to their needing to learn to listen to the Holy Spirit and work with Him. They must learn how Holy Spirit operates in their lives, how He empowers them, guides them, and protects them. The more time they spend actively learning these principles, the more they begin to walk the Christian walk as smoothly as an Ace Pilot.