The Ministry of Presence…

This has been a beautiful autumn so far, but it has not been the easiest of seasons for me. I had one emergency root canal on Monday, and they did not get the right tooth, so I am scheduled for another tomorrow. Fun, fun. I am finally recovering from almost three weeks of battling the flu. The past month is a blur of illness, pain, medication, exhaustion, fuzziness, trying to keep up and being behind in every area of my life.

But last month I also lost my beloved friend, companion, family, sidekick, confidante, comedienne, counselor and encourager, Ellie. My precious black Labrador was an extraordinary dog and blessed my life beyond words. I miss her more than words can express (especially since I live alone). Those of you who have known the amazing bond one can experience with a dog understand… Saying goodbye hurts so much, but it is worth the pain to have had a loyal and loving companion like Ellie. (I am well aware there are many people who just don’t get it, who think,—or even worse--say, “It’s just a dog. Get over it.”, but I hope they will bear with me and one day experience the indescribable unconditional love and joy of a great dog or other four-legged friend.)

Even through many tears, my heart also overflows with gratitude for my friends, my family and my Lord who have demonstrated “the ministry of presence”. God has been so gracious to confirm my decision and give me peace. And He keeps reminding me that He is a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, so He has helped me let the tears flow.

“Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” (Romans 12:15)

Two incredibly supportive friends actually went with me to the vet as I said goodbye to Ellie. Then rather than dropping me off at an empty and too-quiet house, they handed me over to other friends who let me talk, cry, laugh, be alone, be with people, whatever I needed. I left the next morning on a ministry trip and cried from Cincinnati to Wisconsin, only to land with more friends who also held me up and let me process the loss any way I needed. Still others prayed for me, hugged me, and called me from up to 10,000 miles away so I could hear an understanding voice.

“Then they sat down on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights with no one speaking a word to him, for they saw that his pain was very great.” (Job 2:13)

“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us.” (John 1:14) God did not love the world so much that He sent a text. He actually took on flesh and “tabernacled”. Literally “pitched a tent” with us. Immanuel. “God with us”. Thoroughly present with us in every sense of the word.

Albert Mehrabian is famous for a study which found that only 7% of communication happens though the actual words. The other 93% is non-verbal: facial expressions, tone of voice, body language, etc. One may dispute the stats, but something is clear: the more we can see, hear, touch or otherwise “tabernacle” with someone, the clearer and more meaningful our communication will be.

On one level, a text or the “Like” button on Facebook helps me “keep in touch”. But on a deeper level, it just doesn’t cut it the way a smiling face or the spoken word does. As wonderful as all the available technology for electronic communication is, there is no substitute for face-to-face, hand on hand, verbal, physical presence. Although it’s not always possible to do so, the friends and family who were with me, took care of me, hugged me, and called me became “Jesus with skin on” when I needed someone to “tabernacle with me”.

It costs precious time, energy and resources to be “Jesus with skin on”. But the gift of being truly present with someone—physically, mentally emotionally, spiritually—is one of the greatest ministries we can extend to another. When do you really feel heard? Any child knows whether or not someone is not “all here” with them. And in this busy, noisy, wirelessly multitasking world, we can forget how desperately we need to take time to be fully and undistractedly (is that a word?) present with one another. We all live with CPA—Continuous Partial Attention, and we think that’s normal and perfectly acceptable, whether it describes our relationships with God, others, ourselves or our world. Nothing and no one gets our full attention.

One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD And to meditate in His temple. (Psalm 27:4)

“One thing”? Really? Do you have any idea how much I need to accomplish today? How terribly inefficient! I can get much more done if I text while working while answering email while preparing my presentation on the exercise bike while Christian radio plays in the background. See, I can handle my work, relationships, physical fitness and spiritual growth goals all at the same time!

But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me." But the Lord answered and said to her, " Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her."

(Luke 10:40-42)

Don’t get me wrong. We need to multitask. We cannot and must not give our full attention to every person or situation that arises. Can you imagine the chaos and aimlessness of Jesus’ life if He had not set boundaries, made wise choices, said yes and no to the right things?

But are there times when we need to disengage with the thing in order to engage with the human? Are there windows of Sabbath where we can focus on God and God alone? Are there times of ministry where we can be fully present with someone in their questions and spiritual development? Are there occasions to revel in completely being with friends and family, being “all here” with them?

The ministry of presence. Who can you “tabernacle with” today?

In His love,

Linda