She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. Luke 10:39
In my journey I have always been challenged with prayer. Not so much to do it, but more so how it should be done . . . when to do it, and what it should look like. Throughout time, prayer has come to us with certain standards and formalities. “God is great, God is good” comes to mind. Hands clasped or palms together with stiff fingers is a familiar image. Worn knees from bedside kneeling. Arms raised high with bursts of emotion. Desperate pleas that begin with “Oh my God!” Certainly there’s nothing wrong with any of these — they are simply avenues, but in all of them is a common thread that binds them together. It’s a deep seated desire in the depths of our being that wants to be heard by our Heavenly Father and . . . AND acknowledged — spoken to in return.
I spent some time this week with a good friend who hasn’t heard God’s voice in the decisions and circumstances in his life he has been praying through for years. We spoke at length of listening and hearing. His frustration from what appears to be God’s “tight lip” was painful to hear.
Unfortunately, this is not so uncommon among believers. In the Bible we read of stories where God spoke in dreams, sent angels, instructed from a burning bush, wrote on walls and changed water into wine. Today we read those stories and if there’s a dream, it’s nothing really. And if there’s an angel, we doubt it without the wings. And if there’s a burning bush that speaks . . . well, I’m not telling anyone about that! And how many times has my faucet poured wine? Somewhere down the line we have missed the point I think. We have lost sight of the posture of the spirit of our hearts to approach the still, small voice of God that resonates across the universe.
Posture changes things! Slouch when you walk in front of your mom and I guarantee that won’t last long! And when you hold those shoulders back, stand with confidence and assurance in yourself — something changes inside that nothing else can effect like your posture. What’s the posture of my own spirit? In my period of waiting and watching as the Spirit resides in me is my heart slouching? There is a place my spirit must anchor itself daily! A place where my posture can be restored — a position where all things flow in fellowship with the Spirit within. It’s a place of stillness, observing, listening — it’s a place at the Lord’s feet!
I realize now that I go to this place often. I sit on the back porch with my coffee and listen to the birds frolic about, dancing with the sound of a woodpecker. God’s there! I ride in my car without the radio on listening to His sweet whispers as I think through His glory in me. God’s there! I pause in the garden to see a bee busy on a blossom. God’s there! It’s a place of stillness, quietness and a time to listen. It’s a place where I embrace the Divine and the Divine embraces me! It’s raising within me the attentiveness of my heart!
They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” Mark 14:32