Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Sit at the Feet of Jesus
To sit at the feet of Jesus... what does this mean? It's a challenging concept because it's not like he's right in front of us, staring into our eyes. In our scientific world where we depend upon empirical evidence, it's hard to wrap our heads around this idea... to sit at the feet of Jesus. And let's just say that we could actually sit in his presence, what does this look like in practical terms? Here are three simple thoughts to get us moving in the right direction.
First, slow down physically. Sitting at the feet of Jesus means jumping out of the race for a few moments. We get so busy with our day to day tasks that we find it taxing to stop and rest at Jesus' feet. But, this is essential because when we stop to listen, we can actually hear from God, even if it's just a whisper. As we sit down to listen to the Lord, we are able to "Be still and know that (He is) God..." (Psalm 46:10).
Second, slow down mentally. Find a place where you can be alone. This means no cell phones, no laptops, no iPods, and no Kindles. Sometimes, this feels impossible because you live in a house full of family members or room-mates. So, you might just need to get away to a quiet spot in your garden or patio. If you can wake up before everyone else, spend a few moments in your living room or even in that cozy chair next to your bed.
Mark 1:35 shares how Jesus went away to be by Himself to speak with his Father: "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." He took some time away from Simon and his companions because even he needed some time alone to pray.
Third, slow down spiritually. Sometimes it's hard to "feel" spiritual. We get so distracted by the concerns around us: the plethora of unpaid bills, the text messages flooding our cell phones, or the stubborn check-engine light on our dashboard. To make this easier, place some symbols in front of you during your prayer-time to remind you of who Jesus is... even amidst life's daily stresses.
A good friend of mine likes to light a candle when she prays. The symbol of light reminds us of who Jesus is. John 1:4 says, "In him was life, and that life was the light of men" (v. 4). Another symbol could be a glass of water. Set it next to you during your prayer-time as a reminder of Jesus as the God of miracles. In John, chapter 2, Jesus turned the water into wine during the wedding banquet at Cana in Galilee. Remember that Jesus can do miracles in your life today as well.
Share how you slow down to sit at Jesus' feet. We'd love to hear from you. :)
First, slow down physically. Sitting at the feet of Jesus means jumping out of the race for a few moments. We get so busy with our day to day tasks that we find it taxing to stop and rest at Jesus' feet. But, this is essential because when we stop to listen, we can actually hear from God, even if it's just a whisper. As we sit down to listen to the Lord, we are able to "Be still and know that (He is) God..." (Psalm 46:10).
Second, slow down mentally. Find a place where you can be alone. This means no cell phones, no laptops, no iPods, and no Kindles. Sometimes, this feels impossible because you live in a house full of family members or room-mates. So, you might just need to get away to a quiet spot in your garden or patio. If you can wake up before everyone else, spend a few moments in your living room or even in that cozy chair next to your bed.
Mark 1:35 shares how Jesus went away to be by Himself to speak with his Father: "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." He took some time away from Simon and his companions because even he needed some time alone to pray.
Third, slow down spiritually. Sometimes it's hard to "feel" spiritual. We get so distracted by the concerns around us: the plethora of unpaid bills, the text messages flooding our cell phones, or the stubborn check-engine light on our dashboard. To make this easier, place some symbols in front of you during your prayer-time to remind you of who Jesus is... even amidst life's daily stresses.
A good friend of mine likes to light a candle when she prays. The symbol of light reminds us of who Jesus is. John 1:4 says, "In him was life, and that life was the light of men" (v. 4). Another symbol could be a glass of water. Set it next to you during your prayer-time as a reminder of Jesus as the God of miracles. In John, chapter 2, Jesus turned the water into wine during the wedding banquet at Cana in Galilee. Remember that Jesus can do miracles in your life today as well.
Share how you slow down to sit at Jesus' feet. We'd love to hear from you. :)
Labels: faith, family, Jesus, prayer
