Present

"My Jesus, You never miss a moment; You are here right now..."

-Amanda Cook | Bethel Music

We go through so many moments in a day. Have you ever thought about it- how every day is made up of small moments?

Personally, it's so easy for me to miss the little moments because I am too distracted on the chaos surrounding me... but I am so thankful that Jesus is so present in every moment we go through- day in and day out. There's never a moment He is not present in.

I will be honest with all of you- I have been struggling. It seems like after I climb out of a valley and onto a mountain, the enemy uses it as an opportunity to attack. I'm not talking about an attack such as losing a pen right before class, either. I am talking about a fists out and using me as his personal punching bag kind of attack. I just recently walked through such a sweet season of experiencing the goodness of God in a different way than I ever have before, and while I believe it's not ending yet, I also believe that this is why I have felt so attacked by the enemy. A mentor in my life once said something to me that I am certain I will never forget, "It's not even about the enemy wanting to attack us. It's about how he wants to break our Father's heart, and he does that by going after His kids." That was such a profound statement to me, and it's been one that I have clung to during this battle.

Sometimes, it's hard for me to feel Jesus near when I am feeling attacked from the left and the right. The enemy likes to make us feel isolated in our situations- like there's no one there who knows what we are facing or no one there to encourage us in some of the darkest times of our lives.

Here's one thing I will tell you that I know for sure; HE IS A LIAR. 

There is nothing true that comes out of his lying lips. His greatest pleasure is seeing God's children suffer, and I am convinced that nothing else makes him happier.

Every day is made up of small moments- moments that break us, shake us, encourage us, and all the things in between. I don't have all the answers, but I know one thing for sure- Jesus is present in all of them- From the times where we cry ourselves to sleep to the times we are leaping with joy. He is present. He is there. He weeps with us, He laughs with us, His heart breaks when ours do, and His heart bursts with joy when ours do. There's nothing that you go through or experience that He is not a part of.

So, friends, what does this mean to us in the different situations and seasons we are all walking through right now?

To me, it means that even in the moments when I feel so broken and disconnected, He is still there.

To me, it means that when I feel like the pressure is too overwhelming, He lightens the load.

To me, it means that when my heart is breaking, He is piecing it back together.

To me, it means that when I feel completely isolated, He is walking beside me.

To me, it means that even throughout the pain and confusion, He's still good.

To me, it means that His goodness isn’t dependent on the moment I am experiencing.

Maybe you have thought about giving up...

I am here to tell you to keep fighting. 

Keep fighting for the promises God has given you. Keep dreaming. Keep pushing. Keep running after the heart of God, because He is there.

After my mentor said that statement mentioned earlier, she followed it with- "So we don't even have to respond to the enemy when he attacks. We get to say, 'you get to talk to my dad.'" How simple yet so true is that? We have a Father who is passionately pursuing us every moment of every single day.

He is present in the seasons you are walking through, and He will always fight for our hearts, so don't give up. 

I pray that during this season of hurt, confusion,  and pain you would allow your Father to pull you in so close to His heart.

He is so obsessed with you, and I hope you never forget that.

You are so loved.