The Loop

I want to be someone who is present — especially when I’m with the Lord. But if I’m honest? That’s really hard for me to turn my brain off and focus.

I sit down to pray or read Scripture, and within seconds, my mind drifts to my to-do list. Or something I forgot to do yesterday. Or what I’m making for dinner. I want to hear from God. I want to sit in His presence. But my thoughts don’t know how to stay still.

We live in a world that prizes productivity and constant motion. But God invites us into something very different. Something slower. Quieter. Holier.

Being present means bringing our full attention into the here and now — not rushing ahead, not dwelling on the past, not escaping into distraction. Just being. With God. With ourselves. With whatever this moment holds.

And presence isn’t just some trendy mindfulness thing. It’s deeply spiritual. And I think it’s intentionally difficult on purpose.

Relationships are a two way street - we have to seek Him out and dedicate time to be with him. Same with any relationship - it takes time and commitment to grow and become closer. You can’t become best friends with someone if you’re always on the go or distracted by what else needs to be done.

God said in Psalm 46:10,

“Be still, and know that I am God.”

Not be productive and know. Not be impressive and know. Just be still.

And as someone who struggles with being loved for just who I am, that’s hard for me to not want to prove myself with our time together.

Stillness — presence — creates room to know God more deeply. It’s how we begin to hear Him, not just talk at Him.

Sometimes I think I need to “feel” a certain way or be in the right mindset before I can connect with God. But that’s not how He works. He meets us in the middle of the chaos, not only in the calm.

So when my thoughts scatter or my heart feels distant, I try to remember:

“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” – Psalm 145:18

God isn’t looking for perfect focus. He’s looking for honesty. Even when the honesty sounds like, “God, I’m distracted, but I’m here.”

The practice of presence isn’t about staying perfectly focused. It’s about gently returning when you drift. Again and again.

But maybe the struggle itself is a kind of prayer. Maybe that deep desire to want to be close to Him is evidence that He’s already drawing you near.

Don’t wait until your mind is calm or your heart feels spiritual. Just come as you are. Distracted. Tired. Jumbled. Loved.

God doesn’t need your perfection. He just wants you.

“Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28

May we learn to come. To stay. To return.

And in doing so, find that the God we’re reaching for is already reaching back.

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