Day 8: The Power of Presence

Imagine this: Your "divine assignment no one else can fulfill" happens to be one of the most difficult challenges in your life. Who would you call to be with you? Why would you call them?

In Matthew 26:36-46, Jesus was experiencing one of the most emotionally stressful times in His life. The Bible says Jesus was “distressed and anguished” (Luke 22:44 AMP). Of course, He desired comfort and consolation from His Father, but what may not be as obvious is that He also longed for comfort from His closest followers. He wanted them to be engaged and actively involved in His moment of emotional suffering, as proven by His frustration when He found them sleeping.

This same type of supportive presence is echoed in Job 2:12-13 (NLT):

[12] When they saw Job from a distance, they scarcely recognized him. Wailing loudly, they tore their robes and threw dust into the air over their heads to show their grief. [13] Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights. No one said a word to Job, for they saw that his suffering was too great for words.

The theme of being present is recurring in the Bible. But it's more than just physical presence; it's about being emotionally engaged, mentally in tune, and meaningfully contributing to your environment. In this way, our presence can influence success, and our absence can contribute to failure. It’s all about making the best use of our time with others.

Trust me, I know this is easier said than done. Many of us feel overwhelmed and distracted. We say, “I can’t be everything to everyone.”

I feel you.

That’s why today, we’ll rediscover the power of being present through four practical insights using the acronym T.I.M.E.

T–Take a Break

That’s right. Unplug. Turn off the phone, laptop, tablet—whatever distracts you—and give your family or team your undivided attention. Mark 6:31-32 NLT describes a moment when Jesus and His disciples were so overwhelmed by the crowds “coming and going” that they didn’t even have time to eat. In response, Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” Learn from this: even Jesus prioritized moments of rest and retreat with those closest to Him. So should we.

I–Invest Time into Building Intimacy

Another word for intimacy is “closeness.” This is where you truly get to know the people you live, work, and serve with. Communicate and ask open-ended questions. What makes them happy? Do you know what brings them sorrow? What are their passions and interests?

Jesus modeled this beautifully. He prayed for and with His disciples (Luke 9:28), taught and instructed them, shared intimate moments (John 17:22-26), and addressed their needs and concerns (Matthew 8:23-27). His time with them built an unshakable connection.

M–Make Memorable Moments

As a country guy from Louisiana, I became extremely familiar with losing power whenever it rained. One of my fondest memories is sitting around a lantern, singing and harmonizing with my family. My parents created such beautiful moments amid chaos. I encourage you to do the same. Create and capture (if you can) your own memorable experiences.

You may not be able to sit in a circle and sing “How Great Thou Art” in the workplace, but you can schedule regular team-building events to foster camaraderie. These moments unite people and create bonds that extend beyond simply completing a task. Your family and team will carry these moments for years.

E—Enjoy the Moment

This one is for the super-duper organized planners, the super-duper busy folks, or whatever your “super-duper” is that keeps you distracted. Be present in the moment, be active in creating it, and enjoy every bit of it.

I advocate for a “closed-door policy”—a counter to the often misapplied open-door policy that invites constant interruption. Instead, block out time to focus and finish your work, then close the door (literally or metaphorically) so you can give your full attention to your family or team. Organize your day, protect your time, and enjoy each sacred moment.

Reflect:

Who needs your full presence today?
Which part of T.I.M.E. do you need to practice most?