40acts: The Lent Generosity ChallengeSample

‘Being present’ means intentionally putting yourself in the presence of others, for their benefit. It’s giving the best of your time and the best of your attention to make someone feel valued. 

God states that He is pleased when we share with others (Hebrews 13:16). Sharing your time can often be more impactful than giving materially. Being able to bear one another’s burdens is how we fulfil the law of Christ. That is part of our showing Christ in us and honouring God in the process. 

Over the past few years, I’ve seen more and more advice that encourages cutting negativity out of your life, mostly directed towards getting rid of ‘negative people’ who ‘bring you down’. Of course, that’s healthy in cases where someone’s hurting you, constantly gossiping or putting you in danger. But this culture of dropping people who drain you goes completely against the Bible’s teaching about how we look after each other.

‘Bear[ing] one another’s burdens’ totally flips this idea of self-preservation. It involves a cost.

People who are hurting aren’t always capable of giving us their best. I’m so glad that I’ve had friends who’ve stuck around at times when I haven’t been laughing and smiling, though that isn’t always the case. We’re all capable of letting each other down, but as a body of believers we know that if one part suffers, we all suffer (1 Corinthians 12:26). Helping others through suffering involves understanding where they are and walking with them to carry the weight of it.

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Today’s challenge involves really listening to someone, asking the right questions and being present in that conversation. 

 Find more about today’s 40acts challenge on our blog:   

https://40acts.org.uk/act-9-be-present/