Learning At God’s Feet

Learning at God’s Feet

I’m asking GOD for one thing, only one thing: To live with him in his house my whole life long. I’ll contemplate his beauty; I’ll study at his feet.

Psalm 27:4 (THE MESSAGE)

According to the dictionary, to contemplate means to look at or view with continued attention, to meditate, or to ponder. When did you last take time to contemplate something?

The Amish live a simple lifestyle, which allows them time to interact more with nature. The slow pace of the buggy—without a cell phone, talk radio, or CD player—allows time to view the world God created. Working in a field, a barn, or a garden does the same. When we take time to notice it and to ponder the goodness of God, who created it, we realize that the whole world is a display of God’s beauty.

This reminds me of the story of two sisters in the Bible. Martha was busy serving in the kitchen, focusing on caring for Jesus and His disciples. Martha’s sister, Mary, sat at Jesus’ feet, listening to His words and contemplating Him. Martha let Jesus know she wasn’t thrilled about the fact that she was left with all the work. Most of us would have been right there with Martha. Those who live at a fast pace often miss out on the beauty that contemplation brings. But instead of telling Mary to speed up, Jesus told Martha to slow down: “The Lord said to her, ‘My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her’” (Luke 10:41-42).

Do you get worried and upset over details? Do they keep replaying in your mind? Take time to ponder the world around you, to remember that your loving Creator has everything in His hands, and that sitting at Jesus’ feet is the most important thing we can do.

Dear heavenly Father, the more I contemplate Your goodness, the more my whole world takes on shades of hope and light. Forgive me for steaming ahead without You. I’m here now, Lord, at Your feet. Help me to see Your beauty.