Busy being present.

Today we’re going to talk about Being present in people’s life!

Mark 5:22-43 - I’m going to summarize this story

In these verses we see one of the Synagogue leaders, Jairus, came to Jesus, pleading with him to heal his daughter who was dying. So Jesus and the disciples follow Jairus to his house and a large crowd starts to follow. Then a woman who had been bleeding for 12 years came up behind Jesus in the crowd and touched his garment, and was instantly healed. Jesus stopped and turned around to ask who touched him (he felt the healing power go out of him) After he talked with this woman a servant came and said Jairus’ daughter was dead and to not bother the teacher. But Jesus went to Jairus house and raised her from the dead!

In this story when Jesus is on his way to Jairus’ house he asks “who touched me” The disciples said literally everyone is touching you Jesus...we’re in the middle of a crowd! I imagine the disciples being a little impatient! Like come on Jesus, let's go perform an incredible miracle for a girl who is on her deathbed! Everyone is touching you, why does it even matter!? We don’t have time for this. LET’S GO!!!!!

Why does Jesus stop and ask who touched Him? After all Jesus was on a very important mission to heal a girl who was about to die. Surely Jesus could have gone on His way - knowing that just between the two of them she was healed. And yet the scripture said “HE TURNED AROUND” signifying Jesus saying “I’m changing direction” He kept looking for the person who had touched him. He listened to her and heard her story. He was present with her. God is relational; he is a present God. He’s not handing out miracles from heaven Oprah style...reach under your seat and grab your healing! You get a healing and you get a healing! He’s immanuel, God with us.

Jesus TURNED AROUND when He felt healing power go out from Him. Sometimes I need to stop and TURN AROUND my priorities. Especially when I’m listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit.

We want to be effective for the Lord. So this means being Spirit-led and hearing from God.

Each day we start surrendered to the Lord, we yield to Him and his plan.

We don’t want to miss the assignment God has for our day because we are busy doing what we think the assignment is. Rather God wants to do life with us and be invited into each moment. To help us be effective for His kingdom. And like we’re talking about today, to help us not miss opportunities to be present in other people’s life.

When Jesus got news that the girl had died he didn’t say “well shoot I shouldn’t have taken this time to try to find the person who touched me, what a waste of time!” Instead He knew he was exactly where His father wanted him, doing exactly what His father wanted him to do. So it didn’t phase him when in the natural it looked like he “missed it”. Because he didn’t miss it. But he might have missed this divine moment if he kept going.

If we keep saying I’ll do it next week. When things slow down. When I have less on my plate. That time may never come, and we could miss out on an opportunity.

Are we willing to see interruptions as opportunities?

I’m not saying you need to be late to work everyday because you’re always helping a new stranger. If the lord puts those people on your heart, then maybe try waking up earlier to get the day going. But God has put people in your life, in your neighborhood, family, and workplace to love and be present with! Often times it may not even mean changing our schedules, but rather changing our focus. Instead of a to do list with things to accomplish we see our day as people we will meet with, be present with, and can encourage and bring life and refreshment to!

Who can you be present with this week? What does it look like to be present with others?