Being Present

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 (ESV)


“’teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’” Matthew 28:20 (ESV)


God is our example of being present with someone, because He is present with us
Jesus came to this earth to experience life with people.  He is now present with us when we invite Him into our lives.
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Luke 9:10-11 is one example of Jesus and his presence with others.  “On their return the apostles told him all that they had done. And he took them and withdrew apart to a town called Bethsaida.  When the crowds learned it, they followed him, and he welcomed them and spoke to them of the kingdom of God and cured those who had need of healing.” (ESV)

Jesus welcomed others, brought healing to their lives, and made time for others.  He listened, dealt with their real heart issues, and He asked questions that revealed the real issues they were dealing with in their lives.  He was not in a hurry, even though He knew his time was short.

Bellevue Christian Counseling explains that being present with another person involves:

• Slowing down to really be in a situation. Our age is one of extreme busyness—we are maxed out, exhausted, and constantly multi-tasking.

• Paying attention. This means noticing details and nuances, and asking careful questions for clarification.

• Focusing on the interaction. This is a deliberate, careful listening and involvement.

• Patience. When listening to another, check whether you are creating your response while the other person is speaking. Are you waiting for them to finish speaking so that you can get your thoughts out?

• Empathy. A dictionary definition of empathy is a “vicarious identification with or experiencing of the actions, feelings, or attitudes of another.” Sympathy is extending compassion to another in difficulty, while empathy knows what it is like to be in the other’s shoes. (Bellevue Christian Counseling, 2019)

Deb Hinkel, Director for Spiritual Formation and Family Ministry at Hershey Free Church gives some important thoughts on being present in this video.

“A great way to develop these characteristics in our lives is by noting how they are exemplified in the character of Jesus. His empathy for us humans was clear—the apostle Paul says in Galatians 2 that Christ 'emptied himself” and became a man. He walked in our shoes and knows everything we feel, having been one of us. He slowed down, stopped, and listened carefully to people with intention and deliberation – witness his interaction with the Samaritan woman (John 4:7-42).

"While we can develop skills that help us to be present, we should note that one of the names of Jesus is Emmanuel, which means God-with-us. Jesus did not just model being truly present, he also promised to be with us always – to be present with us. Jesus, Emmanuel, is the most present person who ever lived. As we emulate Christ in our treatment of others both inside and outside the counseling setting, the cues we take come from his character. A Christian counselor is called to ‘be with’ the client as Christ is with us. We sit with clients in their crisis points, being present and accompanying them through desperate times and places.

"At the same time Christ is literally present with us, as he was in the first century. The only difference is that we cannot see him, but we do sense him and talk with him.

"If God-With-Us, Emmanuel, shows up, fully present in our everyday life, then we too can and should show up and be fully present to others as well.”

(Bellevue Christian Counseling, 2019)

Are you fully present when talking to others?  Are you fully present when you attend church?  Do you listen to others and ask questions to draw them out?  Do you share the hope found in Christ when the opportunity arises?  Do you talk more than you listen?  Can you empathize with others?

Bellevue Christian Counseling. (2019). Retrieved from https://bellevuechristiancounseling.com/articles/being-present-how-does-this-relate-to-christian-counseling