21 Days of PresenceSample

Day 1: Pursuers of Presence

Focus Scripture:
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11

Reflection:

What if, instead of rushing ahead or holding on to the last move of God, we made it our priority to simply follow where God is moving today? In Exodus 40, the Israelites didn’t make a single move without the guidance of God's presence. They were intentional about not getting ahead of God or being behind God, lollygagging where the Presence no longer was. They didn’t act out of their own plans or ambitions—they waited for the cloud to lead them. When it moved, they moved; when it stayed, they stayed.

This year, we have an opportunity to be intentional pursuers of presence, to partner with God’s presence in a powerful way—to only be found where God actively is. The cloud of God’s glory was more than a symbol of His power—it was a call to surrender. They knew that the safest place to be was not where God had been, but where He was now. Their journey was marked not by their own agenda but by a constant, intentional following of God’s presence.

Here’s a challenge for us: are we chasing after our own way, ideals, and preferences, or are we truly seeking God where He is right now? It’s easy to get caught up in the busyness of life or to long for the experiences of the past, but true peace comes when we learn to follow God’s lead in the present moment. Just as the Israelites pitched their tents where the cloud rested, we are called to make our lives a place where God’s presence can dwell—not yesterday, but today.

Reflection Prompt:

1. Are you focused on the past—what God has done—or on the present, where He is moving in your life today?
2. How can you slow down and create space to truly follow God’s lead, rather than rushing ahead with your own plans?

Call to Action:
Today, make a conscious effort to pause and listen for where God is moving. Resist the urge to move ahead on your own and instead, center your thoughts and actions around where God’s presence is resting in your life right now. Choose to rest in Him, trusting that His timing and direction are perfect.