The Bubbling Brook

He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.”

– Mark 14:33-34, NIV

This summer I had the opportunity to scale a mountain in silence with a group of like-minded individuals, each of us seeking our own personal summit along the way. Before I set out on this hike, I imagined how fast I could get to the top – how I would push myself beyond my capacity and claim the title as the most fit person there. Like many things in life, God probably laughed at my competitiveness, for he had other plans for me that day.

A few minutes into the climb, I noticed people pulling off to the side, out of breath and exhausted. Most of them were elderly, though some were around 40-50 and faced their own challenging physical limitations. In my heart of hearts, I knew that I couldn’t let them finish the hike alone. So I found a man who had a stiff right leg, one that couldn’t bend at the knee like mine could, and I chose to climb alongside him. Many times throughout the journey, the leader of this event pulled alongside us in a truck, asking us if we wanted to hitch a ride to the top and warning us that we might not finish the climb on-time. And every single time, this man refused to take the easy way out.

As we neared the top, and breaks became more frequent than physical motion, tears began to well up in my eyes. I heard a phrase repeating over and over in my mind – “It’s not about you.” My mission that day was presence. Throughout the journey we were not allowed to talk, so all I could do was look over, smile, and nod – a signal that it was time to continue moving.

In Mark 14:33-34, even Jesus shows a need for people’s presence. In his final hour, calling out to his Father for help before his crucifixion, he asks his most trusted disciples to keep watch while he prays. He is scared and overwhelmed, and he needs the presence of the ones he loves to watch over him and stay by his side.

I don’t know who needs to hear this today, but there is power in your presence. There is power in being with a friend who is hurting even when you don’t have the words to say. There is power in the way you carry yourself, even when you think nobody is watching. There is healing in the silent hugs you give to those who are just looking for a friend. Your presence matters. People notice when you are gone. So I ask you, who in your life could use more of your presence? Who in your life could use more of your love and light? If someone came to mind when you read those two questions, send them a text or a call – the Holy Spirit is nudging you to reconnect with that person ❤

If you’d like me to pray for you, send any prayer requests you have to: bubblingbrookinc@gmail.com

Love y’all – have a blessed week 🙂