Presence

Ashley Watts

I love December, if I’m being honest, I begin decorating for Christmas in early November. My kids and I started a new tradition, the first snowfall in MN we put up our tree, and let’s be honest, the past two years it snowed in October (a little too early for me).

The holiday season is unlike any other season, the warm glow of the lights, smells of baking, and more frequent family gatherings bring my senses to be present, to slow down and savor this season. 

Interestingly, one of God’s (many) gifts to us is his presence. 

Matthew 1:23

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel” (which means, God with us).

Psalm 16:11

“You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.”

Isaiah 26:3

“You will keep in perfect peace
    those whose minds are steadfast,
    because they trust in you.”

In the verse above we see that one of God’s names is Emmanuel, God with us. I can’t emphasize enough the impact this has been in my life. 

God with me.  

Recently, God has shown me tendencies I have to want to “know all the details” or control the direction of my life. These behaviors I have, to know or control, are really rooted in fear and self-protection. I somehow think if I know all the details or the next steps, I’ll feel safe.

Ever been there?

God is so gently teaching me to trust him. As I was journaling and praying this out, God so gently prompted me with this thought:

“Security isn’t knowing all the details; security is being WITH me”.

Picture a child going in for surgery: What would make them feel safe, knowing each detail and step of the surgery, or having their mom (or dad) hold their hand? 

Yep, you got it. Having their mom WITH them. 

Details don’t give us security, relationships do, presence. 

God is teaching me that our security is our relationship with HIM, not the assurance of circumstances in our lives. We can’t control what happens to us (I feel that tension here), but we can have God hold our hand and walk us through. 

Presence is walking hand in hand with God. Keeping in step with him. 

His presence is our safe place.

Emmanuel, God with us. 

When we practice presence, when we slow down, when we seek God…we find fullness of joy, we find peace, and we find rest.

God’s presence is a gift we are meant to live in. This resting under the shadow of his wing (Ps. 91) is found being present with him and with ourselves. 

Believe me, I know how this season can be fast-paced and overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. In this season God is teaching me to slow down, to rest, to really sit in his presence. God’s presence is all around us. God longs to speak to us. Go ahead, and ask him to show you where he is throughout this Holiday Season. 

Join me in practicing presence and waiting on God:

-take an extra minute to breathe in the cold air

-take that moment to journal

-pause for moments of prayer

-sit a little longer under the glow of the lights

-savor your coffee while it’s hot

-laugh with your family

-allow God into the everyday moments 

Merry Christmas