Devotion

David expresses a singular longing: to dwell in God's presence. To gaze on God's beauty. To seek God. In a month when we are pulled in a thousand directions, David's singular focus is liberating. He does not ask for success, comfort, power, or abundance. He asks for one thing: presence with God. What if you applied this in December? What if your singular focus was to be present—truly present—with those you love and with God? Not distracted by your phone. Not anxious about what is not done. Not comparing your Christmas to others' Christmas. Just present. There is profound power in presence. When you are genuinely present with someone, they feel valued. When you are present in a moment, you fully experience it. When you are present with God—in prayer, in nature, in quiet—you encounter grace. December is full of activities and distractions vying for your attention. Presence is a counter-cultural choice. It is choosing to put the phone away. It is choosing to listen fully rather than plan your response while someone speaks. It is choosing to sit quietly rather than fill every moment with activity. It is choosing to show up for the people and God before you rather than chasing what is next. This is the spiritual challenge of December: Can you be present? Can you make presence your primary gift—to those you love and to God?