The Gift of Presence
This season (and beyond), we can give to those around us the gift of being fully present, but we can quickly get overwhelmed instead of enjoying the moment. Jesus is the perfect example of a person who is present with those around Him, and it’s evident in the way He treats others (Psalm 139:7-10). We can follow His example because at our highest and lowest points, God is always with us and His presence lives within us (1 Corinthians 3:16; Matthew 28:20; Deuteronomy 13:8; Joshua 1:9). Sometimes we feel God’s presence more than at other times, but we shouldn’t base our faith on our feelings (Isaiah 7:14; John 1:14). And, because God’s presence lives in us, we can take it wherever we go. In whatever meeting, family occasion, gathering or encounter, we can bring the gift of God’s presence with us by checking in (not checking out), choosing to run to God instead of our devices, and checking our egos in our actions and intentions.
2) Who do I need to be more present with?
3) How do I react when I don’t feel God’s presence? What can/should I do instead?