Presence, Not Pressure

I haven’t journaled in a few days. And I felt it.

Not out of guilt.

But out of longing.

There was a quiet ache these past mornings—God gently waking me up before the alarm, waiting. No pressure. No shame. Just presence extended… and me choosing to start the day in different ways.

But today was different. I met Him here again. And what met me? Not correction. Compassion.

No guilt. No reprimand. Just the deep peace of being with my Father again.

This sacred space isn’t just about routine—it’s about relationship. And the truth is, I can return at any time.

That truth carried straight into today’s reading:

“Do not hinder him… for the one who is not against us is for us.” (Mark 9:39–40)

John, one of Jesus’ closest, was trying to draw boundaries around who was “allowed” to operate in Jesus’ name. Jesus shatters that instinct with a simple directive:

Don’t shut them down.

How often have I judged the path of another man’s journey with God simply because it didn’t look like mine?

How often have we assumed that unless someone enters through our specific door, they’re not really in the Kingdom?

But Jesus makes it clear: Unity, not uniformity.

Alignment with Him, not affiliation with us.

The Kingdom of God is advanced not just by those on the “inside,” but by anyone, anywhere, who honors the name of Jesus and lives with love.

And then Jesus drops this simple, profound truth:

Even a drink of water, given in His name, carries eternal weight.

A kind word.

An open hand.

A sacrifice unseen by the crowd.

It all matters.

So today, I release comparison. I release judgment.

And I receive the permission to keep showing up for the sacred moment that’s mine and mine alone.

Jesus sees me. Jesus sees you.

And He sees them too.