BY DR. JOHN SULLIVAN
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR-TREASURER
FLORIDA BAPTIST CONVENTION

Presence not pontification aids during storms

A few years ago, the parents of our daughter-in-law Jennifer moved from their home in Baton Rouge, La., to Stuttgart, Ark. Although Louisiana had been their home for many years, their health had started to decline and they wanted to be near one of their children. It was not an easy move. So Jennifer decided to fly to Little Rock, meet her sister-in-law at the airport and surprise her mother. After her sister-in-law manipulated and massaged the truth to sneak Jennifer in town, her mother arrived at the airport in tow. When she saw Jennifer she was delighted of course, but asked, “Jennifer, what are you doing here?” A simple answer was given, “To be with you.”

During the past week’s Monday morning staff meeting, Cecil Seagle, director of the Florida Baptist Convention’s Mission Division, shared his mother-in-law’s death the day before. At age 91, she had gone through a difficult time. Yet Cecil related that a number of people, especially one particular nurse, commented on how they were blessed by the presence of Grace Hames. Even in pain and death, she exemplified Christ by her presence.

This is the second in a series to answer my question of last week: “How important is the ‘theology of presence’ in a storm?”

I have learned by experience, in times of storms, folks would rather see me than hear me. Let me state it a different way: Presence not pontification aids confidence and hope for victims of the storm. Not just during hurricanes and floods but in all of life’s storms.

In times of distress God said to Elijah, “Go show yourself.”

The people of Israel approached the Red Sea creating a desperate situation. The only movement available for them was toward the sea. God said to Moses, “Lift up your rod, stretch out your hand . . .”

In Revelation 5, when it seems all history was on hold, one of the elders said, “Behold the Lamb!”
It is presence not pontification that relieves distress. Many times as a pastor dealing with the death of loved ones I simply stood by an open grave, embraced the grieving person and simply walked away without a word. Presence was all that was necessary. In fact, words would have been counterproductive.

During storms, leadership cannot function from the safe, aloof place. I am not suggesting rushing into danger . . . though even that might be necessary at times. A storm should prioritize presence in the life of a leader.

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You may contact Dr. John Sullivan at
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