One of the most powerful and meaningful things anyone has ever done for me was sit with me in silence through my deepest grief. Sometimes there are no words powerful enough to speak comfort to the hurting. Sometimes presence is the greatest gift.

Being with those in pain is not easy. Our natural inclination is to move away from suffering, not towards it. But that is not God’s way. Throughout scripture, we find that where there is sorrow or anguish, God draws near. Where there is grief, there is grace.

God does not abandon God’s people. That is a promise. God’s intention to dwell with us is such an inherent part of God’s character, the prophet Isaiah reminds us, that we can call Christ Jesus by the name Immanuel, God with us.

The name Immanuel speaks comfort to me in this holy season, but it also challenges me. It reminds me that I am not alone, but also that no one should feel alone. As I ask God to keep perfecting me in love, as I seek to be more Christ-like, I am called to move closer to those who are suffering. I am called to enter into new spaces where people are in distress. I am challenged to be present with the ones who are most in need, just as God is.

God with us is a promise, but it is not a secret. It is meant to be shared, and there is no greater way to share God’s promise than to perform it, to embody it.

Immanuel, God with us, during this busy season, may we not be so hurried that we forget to give the gift of our presence to those who need it most. Give us the courage to enter into the painful places, knowing that we will find you there. In Christ Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

This devotion was written and read by Greta Smith.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.