In His Presence: The Power of a Simple Pause

While walking one morning and enjoying a moment of quiet reflection, I paused to bask in the sunlight. With my eyes closed and the warmth enveloping me, I took a moment to pray. After standing still for a few minutes, I turned around and, within seconds, felt the sun on my back. This simple experience reminded me of our relationship with God. One moment, we are immersed in the warmth of His presence, and with a quick turn, we can easily turn our backs on Him.

In the story of the two men walking on the road to Emmaus, after their eyes were opened to the presence of the resurrected Jesus, Luke 24:32 states, "They asked each other, 'Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?'" That brief encounter with Jesus was undoubtedly powerful and likely life-changing.

In our busy lives, it is both comforting and empowering to take a moment to focus on the Divine Jesus, allowing His Spirit to warm our hearts. Psalm 73:26 expresses this beautifully: "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." The psalmist acknowledges his personal weaknesses while also recognizing God's ability and desire to work within him. God longs to reveal Himself to us and to warm our hearts, no matter where we find ourselves—whether walking through the woods, sitting at a desk, digging a ditch, or navigating a crowded subway. He is present with us, even when we momentarily turn away.

It may be that we are facing a struggle or caught in a stressful argument with a spouse or coworker. Yet if we can pause for just a moment to remember Him, He has the power to transform our circumstances. He can bring warmth to our hearts, wisdom to our thoughts, and strength to our weaknesses.