"Present Sir!"

I had the privilege of leading a Celtic Healing service at our church last night. The service is based around a very structured liturgy which is worked through, and includes a time of anointing anointing and praying for each individual. 

Part of my responsibilities was to anoint each congregant with oil. In my head I was thinking I need to be really concentrating when I did this. Not just so I can avoid sticking an oily finger in someone's eye! But rather because I thought somehow if I focused hard enough, the healing would be more effective! Crazy logic, I know. 

But then I had this real sense of just letting the simple be simple. I was struck by how God could use me without me having to use my intellectual self. All He needed was for me to be present. 

Now I am not sure if we brought physical healing to anyone last night. But as the band Tenth Avenue North write, the healing begins where the light meets the dark. Being light doesn't require intellectual focus. It just requires presence. And when that presence is in dark place, there is the opportunity for healing to begin. Dark places are slowly transformed by glorious light, God's light. 

So healing beings with presence. Presence in places that need healing. Will you allow this Christmas to be more about presence than about presents? Where is your presence needed now?

Go there.