This week we reflect on Rev. 1:8.
8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.
The One Who Is
Last week at the Global Leadership Summit I was browsing the book selection and a title popped out at me, “Present Over Perfect.” Kristin and I both picked it up and have been slowly reading it and processing it together.
What does being “present” mean to you?
When are times in your life when you can remember being fully present?
Who were you with? What were you doing?
Earlier this week I was trying to carry my keys, laptop, books, my Yeti cup, and my journal all at once. I realized that I definitely didn’t want to drop my computer. So, I set down by books and cup convinced that I would come right back for them. I arrived to my office and proceeded to go on about my day, from one task to another. Sometime around 4:30pm I was wrapping things up and was walking my normal route when I saw them... My books, my cup were still there from this morning… waiting for me to retrieve them. It would have taken maybe 30 seconds for me to go back and retrieve them earlier that morning. Maybe you call it forgetfulness but the reality is, I just left them there.
As I’ve reflected on this idea of being present, I’m ashamed to say that I often leave far more behind than a Yeti cup. Too many times I’ve missed out on the relational interactions in my immediate surroundings because I simply can’t quiet the many things going on inside of my mind. The emails, the deadlines, they just keep coming. After all, things need to be done, right? Productivity is all too often king. I juggle so many tasks at once - go from one thing to the next - and if I’m not careful time flies and I’ve not been present for any of it.
The hard part for me is this… when I read the Gospels, clearly Jesus was not this way. He was genuinely present in every interaction He had. He was in the moment. He cared. He loved.
Christ wants to remind us that He is always present. He always has been, He always will be. He was present at the creation of the universe, setting the stars in place one by one. He was present with His people in the depths of their despair of exile. He was present with His disciples and all those He encountered in His short time on earth. And He is present now. Right now. With you as you read this.
So SLOW DOWN. Breath in now one slow breath. It is a gift from God. May you be present with Him. He’s here now. Isn’t that incredible?
Slow down when your with your spouse, your children, your grandchildren. Enjoy every little moment, conversation, gift that God has to offer you throughout your day. Live in these moments. Be present.
He is our ultimate example of presence. The one who is, who was, and who is yet to come.
Read. Luke 18:15-17
Pray. God, gracious and compassionate, thank you for your constant and consistent presence. I am desperate to silence the noise. Teach me to be present as you are present. Clothe me in compassion for others. Amen.