Day 11: Let Your Presence Be a Present

We’ve covered a lot over the past several days—how to connect with God before others, meet real needs, see yourself through God’s lens, cancel complaining, grow through insecurity, and more. If you haven’t noticed yet, a thread runs through them all:

Connection: with God, yourself, and the people you lead.

You were purpose-built by God and placed in a position of influence to make a lasting impact. The challenge is not to become consumed by the title, authority, or benefits that come with the position, but to be intentional about something far more powerful: your presence.

Your presence matters more than your position. Your title may open doors, but it’s your presence that changes lives.

Proverbs 18:16 (KJV) says,

“A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.”

God gave you gifts that will put you in the room. What you do once you're in the room is what defines your legacy. Will you be merely present in body, or will you be present in heart, mind, and spirit?

What Does Being Present Really Mean?

Being present isn’t passive. It’s a powerful, intentional act of service. Here’s how to give your presence as a gift:

Be in the room.

Life pulls in a thousand directions. There will always be another deadline, another meeting, another email. But what can you sacrifice to show up where it matters most?
▪️ One less round of golf?
▪️ An earlier workout?
▪️ Delegating a task you usually do yourself?

Jesus constantly prioritized presence with people. Though He had the weight of the world—literally—on His shoulders, He stopped to connect, to comfort, and to heal. Whether it was Zacchaeus in the tree (Luke 19:1–10), the bleeding woman in a crowd (Mark 5:25–34), or two sisters mourning a brother (John 11), He never overlooked people in front of Him.

Be engaged.

Physical presence without mental engagement is a missed opportunity. Clear your mental queue. Break tasks into manageable pieces. When you’re home, be home. When you’re with your team, be with them.

Philippians 2:4 (NLT) reminds us:

“Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”

Showing up fully, with focus and empathy, is one of the most Christlike things you can do.

Presence > Position

Sometimes, just being there is the miracle someone needs. A quiet moment with a child. A check-in with a team member who’s struggling. A hug. A shared laugh. A prayer over a friend.

Your position may give you authority, but your presence gives you impact.

So today, give the people around you something sacred and powerful:

Your full presence.