The Holy Spirit lives in all those he has regenerated. He makes them increasingly Christlike in character and behaviour and gives them power for their witness in the world.
What if Jesus was a scientist?
Imagine that rather than learning Joseph's trade of carpentry, Jesus spent his early adulthood working in science. What would he be like to share a lab with?
I imagine him planning experiments carefully, deeply engrossed in whatever he's doing but always happy to be interrupted. Never losing his patience if an experiment didn't work quite right. Not lording it over his juniors, but befriending the lab technician, the cleaner, the undergrad summer student. Taking time to pray to his Father as he goes about his work. Often pausing to express his joy in the beauty of creation. Being quick to speak up to give credit to others or to confront toxic behaviour.
I think I'd like to share a workplace with someone like that!
The truth is that if you're a Christian, you do share your lab with Jesus. Whether you're consciously aware of it or not, God is present with you by His Spirit every moment of every day. Not only that, He lives in you! The Holy Spirit is as near to you in the lab meeting, lecture theatre, and lunch break as He is in church or in your quiet time.
As we study and work in science, the Spirit is at work in us in all kinds of ways.
First, He gives us new perspective. By the Spirit we understand that the world we study using science is in fact God's creation, which reveals His glory. As we learn new things about the world, we are also getting an insight into the wisdom and character of God. The Spirit leads us from mere apprehension of facts into praise for our Maker!
Second, He makes us more Christlike. 'The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control' (Galatians 5:22) - all virtues which are helpful in the lab! (To think about this more, see our series on scientific virtues and the fruit of the Spirit). As we become more like Jesus in the way we approach our science, we bring blessing to those we work alongside, and to the wider world.
Third, He gives us power for our witness. The Christlike character which the Spirit forms in us makes people take notice. And as opportunity arises, the same Spirit gives us words and courage to share the gospel in all its fullness with people around us.
We might not get to share a lab bench with Jesus. But as the Spirit transforms us, believers can become scientists who are increasingly Christ-like - so that the love and goodness of God might shine through us.
