“Your Presence Lord Is A Gift”

Psalms 51:10-11

Presence is defined as attendance or company; existence; appearance; occupancy; omnipresence.

God's presence is felt and His power seen when we are receptive to His love for His children. This love is divine, pure, unconditional, and peaceful. God takes care of His children constantly with His power and strength. Understanding and actually feeling God's presence help adjust bad circumstances. We can depend on God's power and love to replace discord with harmony, neutralize hatred with peace, and eliminate criticism with joy. By our trust in God and His power, trying circumstances of everyday life can be shaped anew with the qualities of kindness, fearlessness, joy, peace, and harmony. Getting closer to God enables us to feel His presence and witness His power. We invite His presence and power when we pray. Presence is a gift that cannot be opened now or later, it must simply be received and enjoyed in the time and space in which it is offered. By just being, presence offers comfort to the tender and hurting places. But presence is more than a gift of quiet comfort. It also provides a window into knowing others more deeply through the non-verbal language of body movements, gestures, cues, the things unsaid that can only be understood in the midst of presence. We know God through His word, by building a relationship through prayer and worship, and by the presence and guidance of the Holy Spirit in us. These are the ways we hear His voice, heed His instruction, and experience the fullness of joy. He knew we could never make it on our own; He knew that we would need help and guidance and comfort through all of life’s circumstances.

I come by this afternoon to let you know the Lord’s presence is a gift. There will be times when words and actions are appropriate, but there will also be times where mere presence will perfectly meet a need. Let’s be willing to sit in those moments where fixing is not an option, or even appropriate. Let us be the ones that show up and lean in, even when it is uncomfortable or hard. Be blessed and I love you!!! JE