4 Keys to being present

Queen in Gold

4 Keys to being present

1/17/2018

Being present equals more than signing your name on an attendance register. A saying goes “the lights are on, but nobody’s home.” This refers to when someone is too tired to realize where they are or what they’re doing; although they are awake and physically attending. You might show up for life, but it takes more than showing up to be truly present. It takes more than going through the motions to truly live.

I personally define being present as being aware of God and what He wants to do. God is never passive; He’s always active in healing brokenness (Psalm 30:2), setting captives free (John 8:36) and giving life in abundance (John 10:10). God is working for good, establishing His purpose, right at this moment (Romans 8:28). If this is the truth, which it happens to be, why do our lives often feel so mundane? Why aren’t we witnessing miracles on a day to day basis?

What does the Bible say?
In Matthew 6:25-34 Jesus teaches that we ought to seek God’s Kingdom before anything else. We shouldn’t worry about tomorrow. Seeking the Kingdom is following God’s to-do-list and letting go of your own. Jesus prioritizes His Kingdom above all things. He challenges us to do the same. Being present is living with this type of Kingdom perspective.

"Seeking the Kingdom is following God’s to-do-list and letting go of your own."

God is always present, but to witness His presence, requires us to be present too. We can’t be distracted. We can’t be selfish. We have to show up and be God-focused.

If you’re seeking to seek the Kingdom; here are a few things you should do:

1.Rest
Tiredness and busyness are keys to losing your God-focus. They fill your mind with worries, numbing your awareness of God. It’s no wonder the Bible is filled with talk of rest (Genesis 2:3; Exodus 20:10; Psalm 23:2-3; Matthew 11:28).

In today’s society rest has become a luxury which is often neglected. Here are truths to a few more misconceptions:

Rest is a priority not a reward.
We do not rest because we were efficient; we are efficient because we rest.
Rest is a lifestyle, not an activity.
Rest is found in a Person, not a place or position.

Make time for rest; where there are no distractions from seeking God and His purpose.

2.Reflection
Daily reflection is a great way to identify in what areas you get distracted. It’s also a way you can practice intentionally seeking God in everyday life.

Take time to express thankfulness. Thankfulness is one of the keys to being present in prayer. Express what you are thankful for, before listing your personal requests.
Reflect on where God was evidently present and working in your life.
Reflect on times you were present: What did God show you? How did He use you?
Reflect on opportunities you might have missed: What distracted you from His presence? How can you give those distractions to Him?

"If we seek God’s Kingdom in everything we do, we worship with everything we do."

3.Worship
Worship re-focuses our hearts. In worship we’re reminded that God is Lord of our lives and therefore we should trust Him and live our entire lives in submission to Him. We’re reminded of His truth, dismantling the lies of the enemy so often used to distract us.

Worship is also a lifestyle. Being present to where God is and what He’s doing, is living in worship. If we seek God’s Kingdom in everything we do, we worship with everything we do.

4.Authenticity
I’m of meaning that no one can be truly present if they are not truly authentic in who they are. Authenticity requires vulnerability. Being God focused requires you to look at the world through His eyes and stop looking at yourself through the eyes of the world. When you are present you live with an eternal mindset. Living with an awareness of God is living with an awareness of who He made you to be. You can only truly portray God’s image if you are true in your being.