Scripture: Hebrews 10:24–25 (KJV)
“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
We have never been more connected, yet so many people have never felt more alone. We carry entire communities in our pockets, knowing when someone gets engaged, has a baby, changes jobs, loses someone they love, celebrates a birthday, or walks through something difficult, and we can watch someone’s life unfold without ever actually entering into it.
Somewhere along the way, it has become easy to mistake access for relationships. We see the post and feel caught up, send the heart, leave the comment, and say, “I’m praying for you.” Those things can be meaningful, but Scripture calls us to consider one another, encourage one another, and actively participate in one another’s lives.
Hebrews 10:24–25 tells us to “consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds” and to continue encouraging one another. The word consider stands out to me because truly considering someone requires attention. It means slowing down long enough to notice them, remember them, and recognise what they may need.
That is why presence has become such a powerful form of ministry. Presence says, “I noticed. I remembered. I’m listening. I’m still here.” Sometimes, people do not need us to give them an answer or fix what they are going through. They do not need a perfectly chosen Bible verse or a speech about why everything is going to work out. They need someone willing to sit beside them and remind them that they are not carrying it alone.
Jesus continually demonstrated this kind of presence. He noticed individuals in the crowd, stopped, listened, sat at tables, entered homes, and wept with people. He made room for people in moments of celebration, grief, sickness, confusion, and ordinary life. Jesus spoke truth, but He also gave people His attention, and attention has become increasingly valuable in our world because our phones, work, responsibilities, and the endless stream of information around us are constantly competing for it.
When we intentionally give another person our undivided attention, we give them something that costs us something. We tell them, “You are worth my time.” This is also where consistency matters because community is built through faithfulness, through the person who calls again, the friend who remembers, the one who notices you have been quiet, the person who celebrates your good news without making it about themselves, and the one who is still there after everyone else has stopped asking.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 tells us to “encourage one another and build each other up,” and building takes time. We build people one conversation at a time, one prayer at a time, one meal, one phone call, one invitation, and one “I remembered what you told me. How are you doing now?”
Sometimes ministry means choosing to stay present when it’s easier to keep scrolling. Someone in your life may not need the right words today; they may simply need to know somebody noticed.
Pay attention to the name that keeps coming to mind, notice the person who has gotten quieter, and call the friend you have been meaning to call. Sit at the table a little longer, listen without preparing your response, ask the second question, and put the phone away. There are moments when God uses our presence rather than our words to minister to someone.
In an increasingly distant world, our presence can become an expression of His love. Sometimes the ministry is simply showing someone, through our consistent presence, “You matter. I see you. And I’m here.”
Practical Application
Take a moment today to reach out to someone who has been on your heart. Whether you call or send a message, make an effort to ask a genuine follow-up question about their experiences. Also, commit to offering someone your undivided attention. By putting your phone aside and listening without focusing on your own response, you can resist the urge to rush the interaction and instead fully engage with the person in front of you.
Reflection Questions
- Who has God placed on my heart recently that I may have been too distracted to notice?
- When someone comes to me with a struggle, do I tend to listen carefully or immediately try to fix the situation?
Prayer
Father, slow me down enough to notice the people You have placed around me, and teach me to listen, remember, encourage, and make room for them. When You place someone on my heart, help me respond, and let the way I show up for others reflect the way You continually show up for me. Amen.
Devotional Written: Marisa Silva Rocha, Fadista