What’s in a name?

Originally sent March 5, 2024

The name “Sustaining Presence” became important to me during a time of great pain and disappointment. After eight years in an ill fitting role working outside of my gifting and calling I felt depleted. I was lonely, discouraged, and burned out. I came across a beautiful teaching by K.J. Ramsey concerning Psalm 23. In Hebrew text, the exact center of Psalm 23 is the phrase, “You are with me”. It wasn’t a quick fix or three easy steps, but it was definitely God’s invitation for me to seek after Him. What I needed most was God’s sustaining presence. I slowed down. I sat in silence. I began to talk with God like a friend who I knew would love me and listen to me.

Maybe you’re in a period of doubt, grief, or pain. Maybe it seems your prayers just bounce off the ceiling and scripture is written in a language you can’t seem to understand anymore. I wonder if your time of struggle might be an invitation from God. Could it be that our places of greatest heartache are the places God wants to reveal Himself to us?