The Power of Being Present
We live in a world that constantly pulls us in a thousand directions—texts, emails, deadlines, notifications, and the never-ending scroll. We’re always planning ahead or looking back, often missing the very moment we’re standing in.But there is power in being present.
Some of the most meaningful things in life happen not in the rush, but in the stillness. Not in the next thing, but in this thing. Not somewhere else, but right here. Being present means choosing to fully engage with where you are, who you’re with, and what God might be doing in this very moment.
Jesus was the master of being present. In the Gospels, you never see Him rushing from one appointment to the next. He was never too busy for the woman at the well, the tax collector in the tree, or the child with a small lunch. He saw people. He paused. He was there.In Luke 10, when Martha was busy and distracted with many tasks, Mary chose to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen. Jesus gently told Martha:
“You are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” —Luke 10:41-42 (ESV)
Sometimes the most spiritual thing we can do is slow down.Look someone in the eye. Listen without rushing to respond. Step away from the screen. Breathe deep. Thank God for the moment you’re in instead of wishing it away. Being present is an act of worship.It’s a way of saying, “God, I trust You with tomorrow, so I’m going to give today my full heart.” It’s choosing to believe that the sacred can be found in the ordinary, that God is not just in the mountaintop moments, but also in the kitchen table conversations, the traffic jams, the bedtime stories, and the quiet in-between.
We don’t always get to choose our circumstances, but we do get to choose our presence. So today, let’s show up. Let’s be fully here—for our spouse, our kids, our friends, our church, and ourselves. Let’s not just go through life—but be in it. Because in this present moment, God is working. God is speaking. And God is with you.