The Power of Being Present

As I continue in my personal journey of physical weakness and disability, I'm more convinced than ever that being present in solidarity with others is more powerful than brute strength. This is fresh on my mind after having just spent a day with two people (separate situations) who are in great emotional pain over loss of a child - not through death but through other very painful happenings in their lives that has brought deep loss to both families.

Because of my physical injuries of 3-4 years ago, I am unable to walk without assistance. This puts significant limitations on what I can do to help others with anything that requires physical strength and mobility.

However, it seems that my presence is desired anyway; I'm learning that nonjudgmental loving presence is powerful in its ability to put inner strength and hope in another person even without the issue being "fixed".

This underscores to me a reality that is growing in my understanding of God, which is that His power largely takes the form of presence, a loving presence without judgment. The prophet Isaiah said that God would come as Emmanuel, God with us! God's incarnation demonstrates that He in solidarity with human frailty; His crucifixion tells us that He is in full solidarity with human suffering; His resurrection and ascension and then outpouring of His very own Life/Spirit tells us that He continues to dwell among us in ongoing solidarity with everything we go through and that He will never leave or forsake us!

It is this loving peace-filled presence of God that brings strength and hope and motivation to continue trusting Him in the face of crippling fear and discouragement. Because God's love is free of any coercion and manipulation, He won't intervene and force things to go well when it violates pure love; but He can be and is present in all the beauty and power of pure self-giving love which empowers us.

A wonderful reality is that, as bearers of His life and love, we can bring His presence into situations in our little corners of the world with the understanding that our mere presence gives courage and hope to those who need it!