Ministry of presence
June 13, 2012 - 5:00 am“Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was.” — Job 2:13
Just about everyone can tell you exactly where they were when the Twin Towers came tumbling down on September 11, 2001. I remember being glued to the TV in utter shock at what was unfolding. With each passing day it became apparent that the missing would be considered casualties. The mission turned from rescue to recovery.
One story that caught my attention was an interview with a minister who came to Ground Zero daily in order to console the families of the casualties. During the interview, the reporter asked him what words of comfort he offered to the bereaved families. “What can you say to give them comfort?” asked the reporter. The minister replied with words that deeply resonated with me: “I don’t actually say anything. It is merely a ministry of presence. I just stand by their side, hold their hand, and cry with them.”
All too often when people hear about the suffering of their friends they are very reluctant to call. They simply don’t know what to say so they just procrastinate and never pay the visit that they know they should. In truth, like Job’s friends, nothing need be said. The closeness of another person, the warmth of the human touch, simply being present is all it takes.
According to Jewish law, when one experiences a loss of a close relative they are required to sit in mourning for a period of seven days. During this period they are visited by friends and family who come to offer them comfort. Interestingly, Jewish law dictates that the visitor must sit quietly. Any conversation must be initiated by the mourner. Jewish law is sensitive to the needs of the mourner and understands that they are not ready to hear explanations or religious philosophy. They just need to know that they have the closeness and support of friends.
Do not underestimate the value of your presence. In tragic moments – and in good times – we give our friends and family so much simply by being present with them. There is a time for conversation and a time for silence. And there are moments in life when silence says so much more than words ever could.
I often see so much insensitive blabbing . And for the life of me I cannot even teach the insensitive one to know better!!!! They either have empathy or they don’t!!!
No one can teach this trait to a person if it is not born in them.
Even a child is known by his ways whether he will do good or evil. So yes.. This is a much needed ability … To weep with those who weep …
Thankyou for your God given ability to write so well !
Hey… Yeshua loves YOU .
This devotion resonates with me as this is exactly what happened to my wife and I when our three year old daughter accidentally drowned. Our wonderfully close Christian friends sat quietly with us for hours at a time. Taking turns, we were never left alone nor subjected to patronising wisdom. They showed their love and sympathy by just being there, their presence was overwhelmingly comforting and loving. Truly the ministry of God’s presence through their presence.
Blessings for your ministry, in Christ Jesus.
BE STILL AND KNOW I AM GOD. YAHWEHS WORDS TO US ALL DURING GODS TIME. THERE IS A TIME UNDER THE SUN FOR EVERY THING. HE IS HOLY. NEVER LEAVING US NOR FORSAKING US IN ALL TIMES OF SEASON, WEATHERING WITH US THRU THE STORMS, IN SEASON AND OUT.
This is awesome. I never thought of this….But you know, it is soooo true…Thank you, Rabbi..
The Presence of G-D was all Moses the man of G-D needed in the wilderness. He was not even satisfied with an angel going in their midst. Presence takes care of all.
Thank you Rabbi, I needed this guidence toady.I just came from seeing an elderly sister from my Chyurch who is hospitalized.I prayed with her, nd sang songs to her and stood quietly at her bedside.I thought I needed to keep saying somthing to comfort her but at times I was silent.Thank you for the endorsemnt.Love and blessings to you Rabbi and thank you again.
HAVING PERSONALLY EXPERIENCED PAINFUL PERSONAL GRIEF MANY TIMES (death of a loved one, family, friends, & too frequently the loss of employment) THE ABSOLUTE WORST THING TO DO, IS TO DO NOTHING !!!!!! PEOPLE I WENT TO CHURCH WITH FOR 10+ YEARS WERE REPELLED & AVOIDED ME WHEN I WAS UNEMPLOYED ONCE FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS—THAT WAS WORSE THAN A DEATH—THEY TREATED ME LIKE I HAD A DISEASE THAT THEY COULD CONTRACT. NO HUGS, NO WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT, NO PRAYERS—IT WAS TERRIBLE!!!!!
LEFT THAT CONGREGATION WOUNDED & DEJECTED. THE RUACH HAKODESH LEAD ME TO A NEW CHURCH & WAS MADE WELCOME. WAS SURROUNDED BY FELLOW BELIEVERS WHO HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING—-REJECTION.
FUNNIEST THING WAS, I GOT MORE SUPPORT (financial, hugs, words of encouragement) FROM PEOPLE WHO DID NOT ATTEND CHURCH, DID NOT PROFESS TO BE BELIEVERS, & WHO WERE LIVING A SINFUL LIFE—THEY WERE THE ONES WHO REACHED OUT TO ME. WOW—WHAT A DIFFERENCE IN RESPONSES. HASHEM TOLD ME THAT THE PERSONS WHO TURNED THEIR BACK ON ME, HAD NEVER EXPERIENCED WHAT I WAS GONG THROUGH, BUT THE UNSAVED PERSONS, HAD EXPERIENCED MY SITUATION MULTIPLE TIMES. IN OTHER WORDS, THEY HAD WALKED MANY STEPS IN MY SHOES.
WHEN YOU SEE ANYONE WHO IS HURTING—GIVE THEM A HUG, PRAY WITH THEM, FEED THEM, PUT A $20 BILL IN THEIR POCKET—-DO SOMETHING TO SHOW THEM YOU UNDERSTAND & ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THEM. DOING NOTHING IS LIKE STABBING THEM IN THE HEART WITH A KNIFE.
A BORN-AGAIN GOYIM BELIEVER IN YESHUA & ZIONIST SINCE 1975–OOORAH !!!!
I remember reading in a book about a Rabbi someone knew & she wanted to see him again. She said he had ministered to her at some point.
When asked what he had said, she replied, “He said nothing….he cried with me.” I have never forgotten those words! This is wisdom personified..
Thank you for such awesome advice! In the mouth of 2 or 3 witnesses, Torah says it is confirmed. Your note is my second confirmation.
Thank you!!
Being present in body is one thing, but we must take heart to be present in mind & spirit, as well. As the body of Christ, to be there for others is a calling that should manifest through our daily walk. One observation I would like to point out is that, in both extremes, extreme pain & extreme joy or laughter, the human body reacts SILENTLY! How odd is that? When something throws our body into pure anguish, we physically sob so intensely, to the point of total silence! We have all heard of, if not exprienced the silent scream. Which, hopefully, was us calling out to our Savior, Jesus Christ! Thankfully, there is the exhuberant & gleefull moments, when we have exhausted our tears from laughing & simply CAN NOT even catch our breaths, let alone, make any noise!!! See, it is so awesome how God chooses to reveal His presence in our lives! Through others, through our actions/reactions & even sometimes through an odd observation! Praise God!!!!!