Word for the day “The ministry of presence”
Philemon 1:7 (NIV) Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.
Remember the ministry of presence is extraordinary in purpose.
When someone you know is grieving, and you want to express your love and concern. But, how do you know what to say? Sometimes there just aren’t any words you should say. But it’s extremely important that you spend time with your friend or family member. What’s as important as anything is just you showing up and being present. What do you say to someone who is suffering? Some people are gifted with words of wisdom. For such, one is profoundly grateful. However, not all are gifted in that way. Be careful because some people blurt out things that don’t really make sense in times of grief.
One of the greatest ways to help in times of grief is to remember there is always the ministry of presence. Your words don’t have to be wise. The heart that speaks is heard more than the words that are spoken. And if you can’t think of anything to say, just say, “I can’t think of anything to say. But I want you to know that we are with you in your time of grief.” I’ve discovered people will really appreciate you and be strengthened when we just show up and quietly show up in their time of mourning.
Always remember the power of love is phenomenal in times of grief and pain.
Not even the best of words can take away the pain. What words can do is testify that there is more than pain in our journey on earth to a new day. Of those things that are more, the greatest is love (I Corinthians 13:13 NKJV). Please be reminded today to express your love family of God and watch the Lord bring the miracle of healing in such times. I often contemplate how painfully tragic the death of a child or loved one in the absence of love.
Even as I have written this message there are some of you reading right now who are grieving the loss of your loved ones: in our post-COVID-19, police brutality, and so much more. With police brutality reaching epic proportions in our nation and in the lives of black people, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. are grieving beyond human comprehension. We need the Lord and the wisdom of God on how to love and be present for these families and friends.
“I send the power of love and the strength of God your way at this moment”!
When God calls us to serve, I believe the Lord calls us to come alongside others and become a part of their lives. The Lord uses us to hold each other up and to help others grow in their walk with life's most difficult times. Look at those who surround you and discern who you need to serve.
Deliberately plan to become a part of their lives so that you can fulfill God’s call especially in this critical hour of all our lives. In this context, the “ministry of presence” means moving in close to listen, laying down our defensiveness and agendas, and offering up empathy instead. We here at Grace and Truth Leadership are in a position and helping in every waking moment.
Point Ponder
Sharing in someone’s grief is not the time to worry about your own discomfort and uncertainty about what to show. Believe that God will give you the words, the touch, the hug that will comfort. And you’ll be glad you shared at the moment and gave strength to as an instrument of the Lord’s healing in the land.
Special thanks!
James Baker, Jr. and our leadership team are especially thankful for those of you who provided financial donations and support in the month of July 2021, by partnering with us in efforts to advance the kingdom of God in this 21st century season: Special thanks to Ms. Annette Straker, Ms. Rita McGuffin, Mr. Kenneth Washington, Ms. Mable Bazemore, Ms. Evelyn Rosado, Ms. Itholear Abbott, Mrs. Barbara Mason, Ms. Jeanette Grant, Ms. Angela Battle, Pastor Raymond Phillips, Mr. William Jones, Ms. Angie Scraders-Murphy, Mr. Calvin Jackson, Mrs. Shakeema Lowe, Mr. Calvin Griffith, Mrs. Angela Harrison, Mr. William Wilson, and Ms. Gertrude Scott.
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Kingdom Blessings,