Present – Devotion 270 – SEEING THE EXTRAORDINARY

It has been a long time ago – or it at least feels that way. I remember vividly the days of sitting in school waiting for my name to be called. The teacher goes methodically through the roll trying to see who is absent and who is present. As each name was called, we announce our presence. It didn’t necessarily mean we were completely present, it simply meant we occupied a seat. We filled a space. For that moment, our physical bodies found a resting place among others in that room. We were sort-of present.

Too many of our days are filled with being sort-of present. We flow through life without really paying attention. We show up to be counted among the bodies who made an appearance. But our minds, our whole beings don’t always make the same appearance. We are just here, going through the monotony of another day. It is in these times we miss the joys, the celebrations, the opportunities to see God at work. We miss it when we are stuck in a routine which we haven’t broken through to see the goodness of God. It often happens and we don’t even realize it. We wake up and years have passed and we wonder where all the time went. We are simply passing through.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. We can be present and accounted for. We can be present, with an awareness of how God has given us this precious day – a day he has made. We can be present to see, really see, what a treasure we have been given. When we are completely present, we are made aware of how we are loved and cared for. We begin to see how God is making and remaking – creating and renewing – reshaping and molding – all for good. We may even see how God is using us in his work. It comes when we are present.

Will you be present and accounted for today? You may be surprised at all the joys which abound.

Focus Scripture:

Psalm 57:7-9

⁷My heart is steadfast, O God,
    my heart is steadfast.
I will sing and make melody.
⁸    Awake, my soul!
Awake, O harp and lyre!
    I will awake the dawn.
⁹I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;
    I will sing praises to you among the nations.