POST 25: The Power of “With”
POST 25
The Power of “With”
The New Testament opens with a story of an angel visiting a teenage girl and giving her a shocking message. We retell this story every year leading up to Christmas because it’s so profound.
When the angel of the Lord announced that Mary would give birth to the Son of God, this fulfilled an Old Testament prophecy that said he would be called Emmanuel, which means “God with us.”
God with us.
Think about that for a second. God is often portrayed as some far-off being, sitting in the heavenly realms, perhaps unaware or uninterested in our comings and goings. But that’s not what the Bible says about our God. The Bible says that our God is with us. And with presence God brings security, love, assurance, grace, and so much more.
The Ministry of Presence
There is incredible power in being with one another. Sometimes we call that the ministry of presence. Have you ever been in a situation where you didn’t want advice or opinions? Maybe you were going through a hard time and all you wanted was to sit in a room with your best friend. No talking. No questioning. No storytelling. You simply wanted to be with someone you could trust without having to explain anything.
There’s comfort in the ministry of presence. It’s uncomplicated, unassuming, and demands nothing.
Even Jesus, God with us, desired the ministry of presence with his closest friends. In Matthew 26, when facing the greatest trial of his life—going to the cross—Jesus asked the disciples to keep watch and pray. They could do nothing to change what was about to happen to him. He simply wanted their presence. And he returned the favor when, in Matthew 28, he said, “Look, I myself will be with you every day until the end of this present age” (v. 20).
The Holy Spirit is God’s gift of presence to us now, and we can also be the flesh-and-blood gift of presence to one another in the name of Jesus.
Next time someone you know is dealing with a difficult circumstance, consider the power of “with” and how the ministry of presence can be a great comfort to them.
READING GOD’S WORD
Look! A virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will call him, Emmanuel. (Emmanuel means “God with us.”) (Matthew 1:23)
I heard a loud voice from the throne say, “Look! God’s dwelling is here with humankind. He will dwell with them, and they will be his peoples. God himself will be with them as their God.” (Revelation 21:3)
The Word became flesh
and made his home among us.
We have seen his glory,
glory like that of a father’s only son,
full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)
Journaling Questions
When has someone’s presence with you been comforting to you? What did they do? Did a friend sit with you while you were sad? Did a parent sit with you through difficult emotions?
What’s so comforting about people being with you?
How can you show up and be present with someone in your life this week?
Pray This Prayer
God, you came near to be with us. You promised to be with us always. Thank you for showing us the power of the ministry of presence. As I go through my days, help me to recognize how I can be with people as well. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Pray for an opportunity to practice the ministry of presence—the chance to be with someone. Ask God to open your eyes to who around you may need to experience the power of “with.” When the opportunity arises, don’t shy away from it, and resist any temptation to fix, explain, or ask questions. Simply be with the person who needs it.
THE TAKEAWAY
There is power in simply being with people—the ministry of presence.