The Ministry of Presence

As I was with Moses, so I will be with you;

I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Joshua 1:5

 On Father’s Day, my pastor gave a lovely sermon during which he compared the role of earthly fathers to our Father in heaven. He was equipped to do so because, his own father was, and continues to be, a factor in his life.  God has blessed him greatly.

My pastor, a young man, shared anecdotes from his youth about his father always being at his basketball games and other events.  He used a phrase that stuck with me all over a month later.  “The Ministry of Presence.”  Normally, when I think of ministry I think of action.  One of the definitions of minister is “to give service, care, or aid; attend, as to wants, necessities, etc”.  One of our human needs is just to be connected to other people.  We do not want to be alone.  Presence is my word of wisdom for the day.

Even if we cannot do anything for another person, just being with them makes a positive difference.  Often, I feel a pressure to do something.  If a person is sad, I feel a pressure to say something cheerful or comforting.  If a person is in a good mood, I feel a need to keep up my end of the conversation and be interesting, even when I don’t have much to say.  However, I don’t always need other people to talk to me or do anything for me.  I can enjoy a companionable silence.  So my point is, don’t shy away from people because you don’t know what to say or do.  Just be there.

Also, our heavenly Father is content to just have us with Him.

 Be still before the Lord, all mankind,

because He has roused Himself from His holy dwelling.

Zechariah 2:13

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