ME-ssentials – Present
ESSENTIALS for Me to Be
September 2nd, 2021
What’s your ESSENTIAL?
Essential: absolutely necessary; indispensable; the essence of a thing; inherent and intrinsic, vital
John 1:1, ‘In the beginning the Living Expression was already there. And the Living Expression was with God, yet fully God. They were together—fac-to-face, in the very beginning.’ (TPT)
Genesis 1:1, ‘In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.’ (MSG)
I was listening to my Apple Music Praise&Worship Playlist this morning, and Waymaker (Leeland) came on, followed by The Blessing (Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes & Elevation Worship). I was about halfway through Waymaker when I realized that although I was singing along, I was more lip-syncing the words than feeling their meaning. The Blessing was well underway when I again realized I was singing out of habit, not necessarily out of heart.
There was a time a year ago (plus some) that those two songs were used to get me through every day. The meaning and encouragement and peace flowing from both worship songs filled such areas of deep darkness and fear and void all over the world. The songs united us, gave us hope; they were anthems of courage and tenacity, and made us all believe that universally and corporately, we really could ‘get through this together’.
I found it curious that I have become so immune to the verses, I hardly think about what is on my lips. I believe that Jesus brought this to my attention so that I could change what I have gotten used to. I recall how the peace would begin making its way through me, reaching the tips of my fingers, down to my toenails, the solace was so real I could literally feel it fill me. Now they are just some words I sing, I repeat out of habit and memorization. Like the frog who never notices his demise because he’s placed in a pan of water that is slowly brought to a boil, so am I conformed by apathy and lethargy.
I am thankful because today I am reminded it is essential for me to be present. I want to be present not only when I am singing praises and affirmations to the Lord, but I want to be fully present in my time spent with Him also. Not just check-marking something off my To Do List for the day. Additionally, I need to remember, my loved ones, those who I am working with and those who take time to be with me, also deserve to have me be fully present when we are together. If this past year taught us one thing, it is how precious and fragile the beat of a heart is and how essential the beat of His heart for us is. In a blink everything can change and the only truth which soothes the sting of regret is a full-bodied promise of presence in all we do and are.
Romans 8:35, ‘So who could ever divorce us from the endless love of God’s Anointed One? Absolutely no one! For nothing in the universe has the power to diminish His love toward us. Troubles, pressures and problems are unable to come between us and heaven’s love. What about persecutions, deprivations, dangers, and death threats? No, for they are all impotent to hinder omnipotent love.’ (TPT)
