The Gift of Presence: Matthew 2:11 Devotional | jacobsimham.com
The Gift of Presence: Why God Desires Your Heart Over Your Hustle
“Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.” — Matthew 2:11
The Western Altar of Productivity
Whether you are logging on from a high-rise in New York City, a home office in Toronto, or a studio in London, the air we breathe in the West is thick with the pressure to produce. We live in a culture where “What do you do?” is the first question asked at every social gathering. From the tech-driven corridors of Berlin to the sun-drenched coastal hubs of Australia, our identity has become dangerously tethered to our output.
As we reflect on this Friday, January 9, we revisit the Magi. These were men of status, intellect, and immense wealth. They traveled thousands of miles across unforgiving terrain to find the King. When they finally arrived, they didn’t just hand over their expensive luggage and head back to their kingdoms to check their ledgers.
The scripture tells us they “bowed down and worshiped.” At jacobsimham.com, we believe that true spiritual maturity isn’t found in how much “work” we do for the Kingdom, but in how much of our “self” we yield to the King. The Magi’s greatest gift wasn’t the gold in their hands; it was the presence of their hearts on the floor.
The “Doing” Trap: A Global Perspective
In the United States and Canada, we often treat our relationship with God like a corporate performance review. We bring Him our “gold”—our tithes and our achievements—hoping that our busyness will earn us favor. We fill our calendars with church committees and volunteer shifts until we are spiritually depleted.
In the UK and Europe, where the pace can feel more rhythmic but the secular pressure is heavy, the “doing” often looks like trying to preserve tradition or intellectualize faith. We can spend so much time studying the Word or maintaining the institution that we forget to simply sit with the Living God.
In Australia, the “no worries” culture can sometimes mask a different kind of busyness—the busyness of self-reliance. We are so used to “sorting things out” ourselves that the idea of simply “being” with God feels counter-intuitive to our survival instincts.
The hard truth: God doesn’t need your money. He doesn’t need your “busyness.” He is the Creator of the universe; He isn’t short on resources or manpower. What He desires—and what is often the hardest for us to give—is our undivided attention.
Understanding “Being” vs. “Doing”
What does it mean to “present yourself” without “doing”? Imagine a child sitting in the same room as their parent. The child doesn’t need to perform a task to be loved. They don’t need to recite a poem or clean their room to be noticed. Their mere presence is the joy of the parent.
To “be” with God today means:
- Relinquishing the Agenda: Coming to prayer without a “shopping list” of requests.
- Silence over Noise: Turning off the podcasts and the worship music to hear the “still, small voice” that often gets drowned out in our noisy Western cities.
- Vulnerability: Allowing God to see the parts of you that aren’t “put together”—the exhaustion, the doubt, and the quiet hopes.
Cultural Barriers to Presence
In the UK and Europe, the barrier is often Cynicism. We feel we must “do” something to prove the relevance of our faith in a post-Christian society.
- The Remedy: Remember that your peace is a better witness than your programs.
In the US and Canada, the barrier is Competition. We feel we must “do” more than the person in the next pew to be a “good” Christian.
- The Remedy: Recognize that the Magi didn’t compete; they collectively bowed.
In Australia, the barrier is Autonomy. We feel we must “do” it all on our own.
- The Remedy: Admit your need for God’s presence as your daily bread.
Reflection: How Will You Present Yourself Today?
As you go about your Friday, whether you are facing a winter chill in Chicago or a summer afternoon in Sydney, ask yourself: Am I giving God my treasures, or am I giving Him my heart?
It is easy to write a check. It is easy to sign up for a ministry. It is incredibly difficult to sit in five minutes of silence and say, “Lord, I have nothing to offer right now but my presence. I am here, and I am Yours.”
The gold, frankincense, and myrrh were symbols of the Magi’s recognition of who Jesus was. But their act of bowing was the recognition of who they were in relation to Him. When we stop “doing,” we finally remember that He is God and we are not. And in that realization, there is a profound, liberating peace.
A Prayer for the Readers of jacobsimham.com
Lord, thank You for the reminder that I am loved for who I am, not for what I produce. Today, I set aside my ‘to-do’ list for a moment to simply be in Your company. Whether I am in a busy city or a quiet suburb, let my heart find its home in Your presence. I open the treasure chest of my life and offer You the most valuable thing I have: my time and my attention. Amen.
Your Presence Challenge
Today, wherever you are in the world, find ten minutes to sit in total silence. No phone, no Bible study, no music. Simply practice being aware of God’s love for you.
