In a world racing at full speed — with endless to-do lists, pings, posts, and pressures — the idea of being present can feel almost impossible. We are constantly distracted, pulled between yesterday’s regrets and tomorrow’s anxieties. Meanwhile, the present moment — the only time we are actually guaranteed — slips quietly through our fingers.
But Scripture calls us to something better.
Being present isn’t just a self-help strategy or a trendy mindfulness practice. It’s a deeply biblical, spiritual discipline — and it’s one of the most powerful ways we can experience God’s presence, love others well, and live fully for Christ.
Today, let’s explore why being present matters so much, why it’s so hard, and how we can grow into people who show up fully where we are, as we are.
1. God Is Always Present
First, we need to remember: God is not far off.
He’s not stuck in the past, regretting your mistakes.
He’s not worried about your future, biting His nails over your decisions.
He is here.
Now.
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
— Psalm 46:1 (NIV)
“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
— Matthew 28:20 (NIV)
God’s presence is not something we have to manufacture.
It’s already a reality.
But we miss it when we live distracted, worried, or perpetually somewhere else in our minds and hearts.
To be present is to align yourself with reality — the reality that God is here, working, moving, loving, even in the mundane.
2. Jesus Modeled Being Present
Look at the life of Jesus.
Though He was on the greatest mission in history — redeeming the world — He never hurried past people.
- He noticed the woman who touched His cloak in a busy crowd (Mark 5).
- He stopped to bless little children when others saw them as a nuisance (Mark 10).
- He lingered by a well to speak with a rejected woman and change her life forever (John 4).
- He wept with Mary and Martha before raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11).
Jesus wasn’t simply present physically — He was present emotionally, spiritually, relationally.
He gave His full attention to the moment before Him.
He saw people.
He heard their cries.
He met them where they were.
If we are called to walk as He walked (1 John 2:6), then being fully present is part of that calling.
3. Why We Struggle to Be Present
Despite knowing all this, being present remains one of the hardest things for most of us.
Why?
1. We’re distracted.
Our phones buzz. Our calendars overflow. Our minds wander. We have trained ourselves to multitask everything, which means we rarely give anything our full attention.
2. We’re anxious.
We fear the future. We replay the past. Anxiety pulls us forward; regret pulls us backward. Both rob us of today’s peace.
3. We’re numbed out.
Sometimes, being present means facing uncomfortable emotions. So instead, we numb ourselves — with entertainment, with busyness, with endless scrolling — anything to avoid the stillness where God might actually meet us.
4. The Spiritual Discipline of Being Present
The good news is: you can practice being present.
It’s a discipline — and like all disciplines, it grows stronger with use.
Here are some biblical ways to cultivate it:
A. Practice Gratitude
Gratitude anchors you in the moment.
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)
When you pause to notice and thank God for what’s right in front of you — your breath, your coffee, your child’s laugh, your friend’s text — you pull your heart back to the present.
Gratitude turns ordinary moments into holy ground.
B. Slow Down
Psalm 46:10 says:
“Be still, and know that I am God.”
Stillness and presence go hand-in-hand.
When you slow your pace, you can hear God’s voice more clearly — and see the people around you more compassionately.
Hurry is the enemy of presence.
Jesus never sprinted from miracle to miracle. He walked. He noticed. He lingered.
C. Trust God with Tomorrow
Jesus said:
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
— Matthew 6:34 (NIV)
When you try to live in tomorrow, you carry burdens you were never meant to bear.
Trusting God with the future frees you to show up fully today.
5. Being Present With God
It’s not just about being present to people or to tasks — it’s about being present to God.
Brother Lawrence, a 17th-century monk, described this beautifully in The Practice of the Presence of God.
He said the most important part of spiritual life is constant, humble awareness of God’s presence, even while doing ordinary things like washing dishes.
You don’t need a monastery to live like that.
You simply need to begin acknowledging God’s nearness throughout your day:
- “Thank You for this breath, Lord.”
- “Help me love this person in front of me.”
- “Be with me as I do this work.”
Tiny prayers.
Constant awareness.
A heart turned toward Him.
That’s what it means to walk with God in the present moment.
6. Being Present With Others
When you’re present, you love better.
- You listen instead of half-listening.
- You notice needs you might otherwise miss.
- You respond with compassion, not impatience.
Paul wrote:
“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another.”
— Romans 12:15-16 (NIV)
You can’t rejoice or mourn with someone unless you’re present with them.
The ministry of presence — simply being with someone, without rushing to fix them or judge them — is one of the greatest gifts you can offer.
7. Being Present With Yourself
Lastly, being present also means being honest with yourself.
God meets you in reality, not in your ideal version of yourself.
When you slow down and check in with your soul — your hopes, your fears, your struggles — you can bring your real self to God for healing.
David modeled this:
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God…”
— Psalm 42:5 (NIV)
He didn’t ignore his feelings.
He brought them into God’s presence.
You can do the same.
8. Small Steps Toward Presence
If you’re wondering where to start, here are a few small steps:
- Put away your phone for an hour a day.
- Take a deep breath before you answer someone.
- Look someone in the eyes when you talk.
- Pause to thank God throughout your day.
- Accept today’s portion without rushing into tomorrow.
You don’t have to be perfect.
You don’t have to get it all right.
Presence is not about performance — it’s about attention and love.
Start small. God will meet you there.
Final Encouragement
Friend, you are not called to live your life in a blur.
You are not called to be a ghost in your own story.
You are called to be present:
- With your God.
- With your people.
- With your work.
- With your own soul.
Life is happening right now.
This moment — messy, beautiful, sacred — is a gift.
Don’t miss it.
God is already here.
And so are you.
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