The Power of Presence

"Here!"

Remember shouting that as your teacher took roll in class? When you are "here" you are present, accounted for, visible and accountable to whatever is being shared in the situation at hand. If you are in class, you should have some idea of the information your teacher gives. If you are at a party you should have some recollection of things that happened there. Your presence is often requested at events and required at certain activities. Sometimes we are asked to be present because we are important to someone, and sometimes it's simply because there is something we can gain from being there.

Sometimes, your presence isn't required because of what you can gain from a situation but rather what you can be in it.

I remember how things changed in the choir when pastor Sarah became our minister of music. I was in the choir at that time and though I had enjoyed the way pastor Dan led us, I was very excited about this new leader and the talent and approach that she brought to our church. She taught us something about worship, she led with an authority that drove us to something deeper. Not just in our understanding of worship, but in our relationship to Christ and how worship accentuated it. She made us comfortable with praising out loud. She taught us to talk to God from our heart, out loud and in the midst of a crowd. We became unashamed to speak our unabashed love for Him with people standing right next to us.

When I left the choir just before Ivan was born I remember standing in the church sanctuary and as pastor Sarah gave her familiar phrase, "Is that your best praise?" I was alone in my response. Being in the sanctuary with people who weren't used to praising God the way I had been taught didn't change my desire to praise out loud, but it did make me very aware of who may be listening. I had to make a quick decision about who I really was and if my praise was meant for my God, or for those around me. I decided to join the choir again, but this time from my seat in the tiered section of the sanctuary. As I pushed those words of worship and adoration out of my chest I did not try to fool myself into thinking that I was alone. It became apparent to me that I needed to be an example of praise right where I was. I could encourage others to praise because I was present and active in the place where I stood.

When you sing out loud it encourages others to let down their guard and feel the freedom to sing out loud too. When we show up to events it encourages others to feel at ease, to be comfortable with their choice to be present as well. When we stand in the sanctuary at church, we are one in a few thousand individuals, seemingly insignificant to what is happening around us. Yet, if we weren't there...not only would we miss out...we could be lessening the experience for someone else. In smaller crowds this is even more important. When Kris and I first began teaching our class there were literally two or three people that would show up regularly. Couples would step into the room and then back out again because there was not enough of a group to make them feel comfortable about staying. Each week, your presence in class is important. Not just to the number we jot down on the roll, but to the comfort and ease of the other class members. Each person makes a difference, even if they don't comment, even if they don't do anything beyond "show up," at least they were present.

Have you ever been invited to a party and wanted to go, but made two or three phone calls first to see who else would be there before you showed up? Have you ever been to a party that could have been great but so few were present it diminished the effectiveness of any games or activities that were planned? We want to be involved with things but we often wait to see who is actually committed to being present before we jump in.

Just a few moments ago I was washing Ivan and Aron's faces and hands after a little snack. I asked Ivan what he was going to do next and his response was so appropriate to this post. He said, "I'm going to do whatever you do." My boys are classic examples of the need to be present. If I don't sit down with them to clean their toys up, they don't clean their toys up. If I don't lead the way with brushing teeth, taking baths and picking up their dirty clothes, it doesn't happen. A lot of these things they are totally capable of doing on their own, but if I am not present with them, encouraging them, and doing it with them, they fall short.

Remember, that you are that encouragement to someone. You may not even realize it. They may not even realize it, but your presence makes a difference to those around you. You can be that one more "body" in the room that made the visitor stay. You may be the one more voice in the crowd that encouraged someone to sing. You may be that one more smile that made someone decide to stay. Your presence makes a powerful difference.

I recall my college years when I was desperately hungry for a greater purpose in the Kingdom of God. I wanted to be used. I wrote songs about walking on water and removing myself from the stillness of the church pew. I wanted to be a significant part of whatever God had going on. Can you guess what He called me to do first? I remember so well...it wasn't to be a missionary in Africa or a soloist for the church choir. It wasn't even a call to be a soloist at the local nursing home. It was so simple. He said, "smile when you see someone on the sidewalk." Being "in God's will" is not a call for only those who wish to be thought of as spiritual and important. God's will is every moment. Being present with Him to hear His voice and heed the calling He gives for EACH STEP YOU TAKE.

As women we exemplify the heart of God. We are relational and suited for interaction and communication. Let's take the initiative to be present and accounted for in the things God has called us to. Don't wait on anyone else to be present, you make the choice to be in the right place in your home, your group, your job and your church. There are so many, maybe you used to be one of them, that need to see you as present and available to them. You don't have to be in a "ministry position" to be needed. You are invaluable to the people God has placed around you.