How would you describe God if you only had one word?
I asked some friends that recently, and they gave some really good answers. Loving. Forgiving. Merciful. Patient. Peace. All of those are true, and all of those are good. But one answer made me pause more than the others: present.
I don’t know how often I really stop and think about the benefit of knowing God is present. I’m not just talking about knowing facts about Him, or believing He is powerful, loving, or merciful. I mean knowing He is actually with me. He knows me, He hears me when I pray, and He sees what I’m carrying.
Acts 3:20 says, “Times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”
I like that word refreshing because sometimes I really do feel worn out. Usually when that happens, my first thought is that I need a nap, or a vacation, or just a break from everything for a while. And sometimes those things may be true. But I’m learning there is a kind of refreshing that only comes from being close to God.
His presence reminds me I’m not alone. It brings peace that my circumstances can’t give me. It helps me take the next step when I’m tired, unsure, or just worn down by life. There is real comfort in knowing that God is not far away or hard to reach.
So maybe before I only ask God to fix what’s around me, I need to spend time remembering who is with me. One of the greatest gifts God gives us is His presence, and I don’t want to miss the refreshment that comes from being with Him.