Working in His Presence
The best work doesn't come from our striving, but from abiding in Him. When we work from His presence, everything changes.
We live in a world that celebrates hustle. Do more, achieve more, push harder. But somewhere in all that striving, we lose sight of the One who actually makes our work fruitful.
I've learned something that changed everything: the quality of my work has less to do with my effort and more to do with whether I'm working from His presence or from my own strength.
The Difference
When I work in my own strength, I can be productive. I can check off tasks, meet deadlines, impress people. But at the end of the day, I'm exhausted. And often, the work doesn't bear the fruit I hoped for.
When I work from His presence—when I pause to listen, when I invite Him into each decision, when I depend on His wisdom rather than my own cleverness—the work feels different. There's a peace in it. And somehow, it bears fruit that lasts.
Practicing His Presence
Brother Lawrence talked about practicing the presence of God. Not just in prayer times, but in the kitchen, in daily work, in ordinary moments.
This isn't mystical—it's practical:
- Start your day with Him: Before you check your email, before you plan your tasks, spend time in His presence. Let Him set the agenda.
- Invite Him into decisions: When you're stuck on a problem, pause. Ask for His wisdom. Wait for His peace.
- Work as worship: Whatever you're doing—writing code, leading a meeting, serving a customer—do it for Him, not just for results.
What Changes
When you practice working in His presence, several things shift:
You stop striving and start abiding. The anxiety lifts because you're not carrying it alone.
You make better decisions because you're listening to His voice, not just your own reasoning.
Your work bears fruit because it flows from life, not just effort.
The people around you sense something different. There's a grace on your work that can't be manufactured.
Today
Before you jump into your next task, pause. Acknowledge His presence. Invite Him into your work.
You might be surprised how much changes when you stop working for Him and start working with Him.
The tasks remain the same. But you—and your work—are different.