Sitting at His Feet

Thus, discipline is the creation of boundaries that keep time and space open for God. Solitude requires discipline, worship requires discipline, caring for others requires discipline. They all ask us to set apart a time and a place where God’s gracious presence can be acknowledged and responded to.

Henri Nouwen, Bread for the Journey: A Daybook of Wisdom and Faith

Lent is about making space to acknowledge the presence of God.

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him
in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus

Ephesians 2:6

We have been seated with Christ.
Imagine today, sitting with Him, basking in His presence,
listening to Him, learning from Him.

Jesus met a demon-possessed man by the sea, on a cliff. He delivered the man from the legion of demons. And we read,

When those tending the pigs saw what had happened, they ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those who had seen it told the people how the demon-possessed man had been cured. 

Luke 8:34-36

Do you wonder about the conversation between the man no longer possessed by demons and Jesus?

Jesus visited in a home in Bethany – his friend Lazarus, and the sisters, Mary and Martha. Martha is busy, busy in the kitchen but where was Mary?

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. 

Luke 10:38 – 40

Do you wonder what Jesus was talking about that captured Mary’s attention?

Let’s break out of our isolation and realize that Someone who dwells in the center of our beings wants to listen with love to all that occupies and preoccupies our minds.

Henri Nouwen, Bread for the Journey: A Daybook of Wisdom and Faith

Sitting with Jesus may require practice. Sometimes it helps to set a timer – for 3 minutes, 5, or 10. That way you free your mind and body to sit until the timer rings. In these moments, you are still, quiet, giving God permission, opportunity to to speak. You don’t have to talk – although you can tell God how grateful you are to be in His presence. Use these moments to wait on God, centering your inner being on who He is, and what He might want to impress upon your heart. Some call this contemplative prayer. I think of it as simply sitting at the feet of Jesus!

I wait quietly before God,
    for my victory comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
    my fortress where I will never be shaken.

Psalm 62:1-2 NLT

Acknowledge His presence today, He’s already with you, if you are His child, because He promised never to leave you or forsake you. He has not removed Himself. If He feels far off, rest in His presence today, learn from Him, let His sweet rhythm of grace wash over you.

We have been seated with Christ; enjoy, today, sitting at His feet!

Sitting at the feet of Jesus,
Oh, what words I hear Him say!
Happy place! so near, so precious!
May it find me there each day;
Sitting at the feet of Jesus,
I would look upon the past;
For His love has been so gracious,
It has won my heart at last. 

Sitting at the feet of Jesus,
Where can mortal be more blest?
There I lay my sins and sorrows,
And, when weary, find sweet rest;
Sitting at the feet of Jesus,
There I love to weep and pray;
While I from His fullness gather
Grace and comfort every day. 

Bless me, O my Savior, bless me,
As I sit low at Thy feet;
Oh, look down in love upon me,
Let me see Thy face so sweet;
Give me, Lord, the mind of Jesus,
Keep me holy as He is;
May I prove I’ve been with Jesus,
Who is all my righteousness.

J. Lincoln Hall