Presence

Recently, I saw a post on Instagram that stated one of the things the Lord has been showing me in the most simple and concise way, and I must share it with you. 

Presence is the medium of love.

This is so true in every relationship, but we often fail to apply it to our relationship with God. In the busyness of life, we often rush from task to task, overwhelmed by demands and distractions. Yet, amidst the noise, there is a quiet, steady invitation from God, the Creator of the Universe. It is an invitation to pause, be present and press into His presence. 

Too often, we mistake the accumulation of knowledge about God for true intimacy with Him. We read Scripture and Christian books, listen to teachings and podcasts and serve in ministry. However, we miss the most essential thing: being with Him. In our pursuit of good things, we neglect the one thing that truly matters: intimacy with God. Psalm 46:10 reminds us, “Be still, and know that I am God.” This is not about doing more, but about being present with the One who longs for us to draw near.

From the very beginning, God’s heart has always been to be near His people. In the Garden of Eden, He walked with Adam and Eve. In the wilderness, His presence filled the tabernacle. His glory dwelt among His people in the temple, and through Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, God did something even more miraculous: He made a way for His Spirit to dwell within us.

As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 6:19, “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself.” The Spirit of God is no longer confined to a place. He lives in us, drawing us into deeper communion.

This is the foundation of the Christian life: not striving harder but abiding; not doing more but actually less. Jesus said, “Apart from Me, you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Our ability to live the life He calls us to comes not from our own effort but from staying connected to Him and allowing His Spirit to bear fruit in us.

God is not a concept to be understood, nor an idea to study. He is the living, breathing, eternal God, longing to be known by His people. Jesus prayed, “This is the way to have eternal life–to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.” (John 17:3). God is not distant or abstract. He is a Father to be embraced, a Savior to adore, a Friend to walk with in the quiet moments.

When we come before God, it’s not enough to merely offer our prayers, petitions or praises. We must also come with hearts that are still, receptive and hungry to encounter Him. As Jesus said, “God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice [righteousness], for they shall be satisfied” (Matthew 5:6).

Here’s where this ties to the topic of the Holy Spirit we’ve been pondering in prior MAKE ROOM blog posts. It is through the Holy Spirit that we experience God’s presence and not just intellectually but in a way that transforms our hearts. As 2 Corinthians 3:18 tells us, “So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord–who is the Spirit–makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” When we encounter God, we are changed, becoming more like Him.

To truly know God is to encounter Him in His fullness by inviting the Holy Spirit to move in our lives. It is not about our own efforts or accomplishments; it is about surrendering to the work of the Spirit within us. As Philippians 2:13 states, “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.”

In the presence of God, we are healed. “He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds” (Psalm 147:3). In His presence, our fears, our brokenness, and our pain find healing and peace. The Holy Spirit is the one who draws us near, fills us with God’s love and empowers us to live in a way that reflects His glory.

The Christian life is not about striving to do more, but about abiding: staying connected to the vine, resting in God’s presence and allowing the Holy Spirit to transform us. To know God truly is to invite His Spirit to move within us, guiding us, shaping us and empowering us to live out His will. As James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.”

So let us pause regularly, for extended periods of time in the midst of our busy lives and simply be with God. Let us open our hearts to the Holy Spirit, inviting Him to reveal more of God’s heart, His glory and His transforming power. For it is in the presence of the Holy Spirit that we find the peace, strength and love we need to live a life that reflects the heart of God.

MAKE ROOM for Him. He is the treasure. He is the prize. 

For in Him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in Him.
Colossians 2:9-10

Instagram Quote by Ian Simkins, Lead Pastor of Teaching at The Bridge Church