The Power of Presence: The Art of Beholding

By Zack Armfield

In a world of disconnection and digital connection, people long to be seen and known. Everyone is looking for someone who will really notice them, sit with them, and listen. They want to be beheld. Yet if our world claims to offer endless ways to connect, why do people feel so isolated? Nathan Metz points to a lack of presence. To truly see someone, he says, is to be with them—in person—beholding another image-bearer of God.

Beholding in Discipleship

Metz is deeply passionate about discipleship and mentorship. In his professional work, he serves as Director of Leadership Development at his company. In his personal life, he pursues discipleship through ministry and relationships. These two worlds intersect in what he considers a gift, allowing him to glorify God by teaching others to mentor and lead through the framework of seeing God’s image in every person.

1. The Power of Presence

When asked where mentoring begins, Metz goes straight to Genesis: “It is not good for the man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18, NIV). People were made for relationship. When someone enters your presence and sits with you, there is a God-given response of feeling seen.

But presence is more than being physically nearby—it’s about signaling attention. In our distracted age, that can be as simple as turning your phone face down, or better yet, putting it away entirely. To truly see and be seen takes time, effort, and energy.

Phone calls or Zoom meetings have their place, Metz notes, but they should supplement in-person presence, not replace it. Trust grows most deeply face-to-face, which leads to Metz’s next insight on vulnerability.

2. The Necessity of Vulnerability

Presence opens the door, but vulnerability builds the house. Metz explains:

“Vulnerability is more than transparency or honesty or openness. The word comes from the Latin vulnerare,which means ‘to be able to be wounded.’ Vulnerability means I give you something you could use to hurt me—and when you don’t, that establishes trust.”

Discipleship is a two-way street of trust, forming us into the image of Jesus. It’s also the most difficult step, because our culture resists it. Online, there is no need to be vulnerable—you can curate the perfect version of yourself. In person, however, it’s much harder to hide.

Any discipleship relationship worth having requires vulnerability. It allows another person to see you fully and step into your pain, shame, fears, and anxieties. Metz acknowledges the danger—you can be hurt—but you can also find healing when God’s love and truth are reflected through another follower of Jesus.

“When we honestly ask ourselves which persons in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving much advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand.”

—Strahan Coleman, Beholding

“That’s what I think is the transformative factor of discipleship or mentoring, which makes it different from friendship,” Metz says of vulnerability. “It creates the space for directness, accountability, and truth, alongside beholding the other person in the love of Jesus.”

Once discipleship reaches that space, it becomes a place of real transformation—for both mentor and disciple—bringing glory to God.