Keep Your Focus on the Gift of PRESENCE!

God loved us so much that He sent His one and only Son, Jesus, to be born and live among us, which is what we celebrate today on CHRISTmas.

His mission was fulfilled by dying on a cross to take on the punishment of our sins. Three days later, He rose victoriously, defeating sin, death, and the devil, so that we may be in His PRESENCE for all of eternity! Before Jesus returned to Heaven, He shared with His disciples that the Father would send them an advocate which is the Holy Spirit to have His PRESENCE within us (John 14: 15-17). This gift came to Jesus’ disciples on Pentecost. The PRESENCE of His Spirit lives within us as believers in Jesus Christ.

What is so hard in giving our full PRESENCE with others? A few examples are distractions (i.e., cell phones and TV), time, selfishness, judgment, emotions, and a lack of truly listening. Or we’ve never experienced someone’s full PRESENCE with us.

The million dollar questions is, “How can we give our full PRESENCE with others?” As a leadership coach, I’ve been trained in the skills of PRESENCE to be for and with my clients. By all means, I’m not perfect like God’s PRESENCE, yet when I find my mind drifting, I have been trained to name it without judgment and reengage with the listening skills of attunement. Jesus is the ultimate example of how to be in full PRESENCE with others.

Thankfully, we can always count on God’s PRESENCE, especially in times of uncertainty. God is Sovereign and we know He works all things for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).

As we hope for a better 2021, regardless of what is ahead, let us move forward in the words of Joshua 1:9 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”