Presence Before Performance | Ponderings of a Pastor
Key Thought | Time with Jesus softens our hearts and reshapes our spirit. When we truly abide with Him, pride gives way to humility, judgment gives way to compassion, and performance gives way to surrender. If our hearts are harsh, hurried, or hardened, it may not be a knowledge problem. It may simply be an invitation to return and sit with Him again.
Key Scripture | “And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.” — 1 Corinthians 2:4–5 (NLT)
“You can’t be mean and judgmental and actually be spending time with Jesus.”
Confession time. I know this is true because in my current role it can be easy to prepare a message and forget to prepare my heart.
In a world that often wants to be wowed by words, it’s easy to spend time crafting clever phrases and powerful statements while never actually spending time with Him.
Recently I heard a statistic that many pastors spend less than five minutes a day in prayer. I don’t share that as criticism or judgment. I share it more as an alarm, because it shows how easy it is to do the work of ministry without nurturing the relationship that ministry is supposed to flow from.
It also reveals something about what often grows our churches: performance and skill.
But Paul reminds us that ministry was never meant to be built on those things.
“And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.” — 1 Corinthians 2:4–5 (NLT)
About a year ago I had a realization while reading this passage. Paul intentionally turned his volume down so that God’s power could be seen more clearly.
John the Baptist did the same when he said, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
If we truly want to see a move of the Spirit of God in the church, it will not come through louder voices or better performances. It will come when leaders and believers alike are willing to step back so the Holy Spirit can take center stage.
The reality is that many people know the Bible but don’t truly know the One who wrote it. We pursue more knowledge, more insight, and more answers, when what we really need is deeper connection.
Maybe that’s part of why hearts seem to be growing harder in our world. Love feels absent. Compassion feels thin. Judgment feels loud.
And I can’t help but wonder if one of the main reasons is simply this: we are spending less time abiding with Him.
Because when I actually sit with Jesus, some things become very clear again:
And honestly, how much better is it to spend time with Him?
I still have a message to prepare today, but it can wait.
Because if I step onto the stage with the right words but the wrong heart, I’ve already missed the point.
It is far more important that I take the stage with the right heart than the right words.
Before you worry about having the right words to say, make sure you have spent time with the One who changes your heart. Today, slow down, sit with Jesus, and let His presence shape your heart before you try to shape anything else.
Prayer | Jesus, draw my heart back to You. Forgive me for the times I focus more on doing things for You than actually being with You. Soften my heart where it has become hard, rushed, or distracted. Help me choose connection over performance and presence over pressure. Teach me to abide in You so that my words, actions, and attitudes flow from Your Spirit. Amen.
Reflections
Key Scripture | “And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.” — 1 Corinthians 2:4–5 (NLT)
“You can’t be mean and judgmental and actually be spending time with Jesus.”
Confession time. I know this is true because in my current role it can be easy to prepare a message and forget to prepare my heart.
In a world that often wants to be wowed by words, it’s easy to spend time crafting clever phrases and powerful statements while never actually spending time with Him.
Recently I heard a statistic that many pastors spend less than five minutes a day in prayer. I don’t share that as criticism or judgment. I share it more as an alarm, because it shows how easy it is to do the work of ministry without nurturing the relationship that ministry is supposed to flow from.
It also reveals something about what often grows our churches: performance and skill.
But Paul reminds us that ministry was never meant to be built on those things.
“And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.” — 1 Corinthians 2:4–5 (NLT)
About a year ago I had a realization while reading this passage. Paul intentionally turned his volume down so that God’s power could be seen more clearly.
John the Baptist did the same when he said, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
If we truly want to see a move of the Spirit of God in the church, it will not come through louder voices or better performances. It will come when leaders and believers alike are willing to step back so the Holy Spirit can take center stage.
The reality is that many people know the Bible but don’t truly know the One who wrote it. We pursue more knowledge, more insight, and more answers, when what we really need is deeper connection.
Maybe that’s part of why hearts seem to be growing harder in our world. Love feels absent. Compassion feels thin. Judgment feels loud.
And I can’t help but wonder if one of the main reasons is simply this: we are spending less time abiding with Him.
Because when I actually sit with Jesus, some things become very clear again:
- He is in control.
- He is not fearful.
- He has me.
- He has my family.
- I cannot control people—and trying to do so is manipulation.
- He loves me.
- He accepts me.
- He even likes me.
- He desires obedience, not performance.
- Contentment is godly and great gain.
- Fruit is His responsibility; connection to Him is mine.
And honestly, how much better is it to spend time with Him?
I still have a message to prepare today, but it can wait.
Because if I step onto the stage with the right words but the wrong heart, I’ve already missed the point.
It is far more important that I take the stage with the right heart than the right words.
Before you worry about having the right words to say, make sure you have spent time with the One who changes your heart. Today, slow down, sit with Jesus, and let His presence shape your heart before you try to shape anything else.
Prayer | Jesus, draw my heart back to You. Forgive me for the times I focus more on doing things for You than actually being with You. Soften my heart where it has become hard, rushed, or distracted. Help me choose connection over performance and presence over pressure. Teach me to abide in You so that my words, actions, and attitudes flow from Your Spirit. Amen.
Reflections
- When was the last time you spent unhurried time with Jesus simply to be with Him, not to accomplish something?
- In your life right now, are you operating more from connection with Jesus or performance for others?
We'd love to hear from you! Let us know in the comments what God is speaking to you as you read these devotionals. If you haven't already subscribed to receive our devotional emails right to your inbox, hit the subscribe button below and invite your family and friends to subscribe as well! Thank you for being a part of our Opendoor Devotional Community. We appreciate you!
No Comments