Be Present Where Your Feet Are: An Invitation to Sit at the Feet of Jesus
This past year has been a season of preparing, searching, and waiting.
We've been looking for a home where our family could live together in a multigenerational setting. There have been houses we've considered, plans we've made, boxes we've packed, and plenty of moments when things didn't unfold quite the way we expected.
Last fall, in the midst of all the uncertainty, I sensed God inviting me into a season of stillness.
Be still. Trust Me. Wait with Me.
And so I began learning, once again, what it meant to slow down and rest in His presence rather than trying to figure everything out on my own.
Now, a year later, we're finally settling into the home God has provided.
And what a blessing it is!
But along with the excitement of this new season has come the work of moving, unpacking, organizing, and preparing our old house to go on the market.
My feet have been busy!
Up and down stairs, carrying boxes, cleaning rooms, finding new places for old belongings, and unpacking things that have been tucked away since our first attempt to move last year.
And somewhere along the way, I began to feel a little worn out and scattered.
Yes, physically exhausted, but more so mentally, moving in a dozen directions at once.
And this morning, Jesus gently reminded me of the same invitation He extended last fall.
Be still. Come spend time with Me.
Be Present Where Your Feet Are
Earlier this week, I heard a quote that stayed with me:
"Be present where your feet are."
I liked it when I heard it, but this morning, as I sat quietly inviting Jesus to speak, those words returned with something added.
"Be present where your feet are, and come sit at My feet."
Oh, how I needed to hear that.
I woke up this morning with a list of things I thought needed to get done. Before my feet even touched the floor, my mind was already at the old house, thinking about what still needed to be cleaned, organized, and finished.
I could practically see myself walking through the day, moving from one task to another.
But instead of getting up and heading out the door, I sensed that gentle invitation to sit.
So I settled into my soft yellow office chair, put my feet up, and closed my eyes.
Now, I would love to tell you that I immediately entered into a beautiful moment of stillness with Jesus.
But that's not exactly how it happened.
For several minutes, my mind wandered.
I thought about the things I needed to do, the places I needed to go, and how much I could accomplish if I just got moving.
My feet were resting, but my mind was still walking!
And then, as I sank a little deeper into that soft cushioned chair, I became aware of where I was.
I noticed my feet.
I took a breath.
And I invited Jesus to speak.
In the quiet, I sensed Him saying:
"Come, sit at My feet and spend time with Me."
And peace came.
The walking around in my mind stopped.
The urgency softened.
Nothing on my to-do list had changed, but something in me had.
I was present with Jesus.
Choosing the Better Thing
I couldn't help but think about Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38–42.
Martha was busy preparing and serving. She was taking care of the things that needed to be done. But Mary chose to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen.
When Martha became frustrated, Jesus gently reminded her that she was worried and troubled about many things, but only one thing was necessary.
Mary had chosen the better portion.
I wonder how often I find myself in Martha's shoes.
Not because I'm doing something wrong, but because I've allowed the doing to become more important than the being.
I don't believe Jesus was telling Martha that serving didn't matter.
I believe He was inviting her to recognize that being with Him mattered more than everything she was trying to accomplish for Him.
And isn't that an invitation for us today?
Not to stop serving. Not to abandon our responsibilities. But to remember that our relationship with Jesus is not something we squeeze into the spaces between our tasks.
It's where everything else begins.
And here's what I love most about this invitation.
There was no condemnation in it.
Jesus wasn't reminding me of all the mornings I hadn't stopped to listen or how distracted I'd become.
He was simply inviting me to come near.
Again.
Remaining Connected to the Vine
In John 15:4, Jesus tells us:
"Remain in me, as I also remain in you." (NIV)
I love the picture of the vine and the branches.
A branch doesn't have to strive to produce fruit. It simply remains connected to the vine, receiving everything it needs for life and growth.
And I wonder if sometimes we spend so much energy trying to produce fruit that we forget to remain connected to the One who makes the fruit possible.
I've spent so much time lately thinking about what needs to be accomplished.
But this morning reminded me that Jesus isn't asking me to accomplish more.
He's inviting me to abide.
To listen.
To be present.
To allow His peace to settle my thoughts before deciding where my feet need to go.
And I don't have to wait until the house is unpacked, the old house is sold, or every task on my list is finished to experience that peace.
His presence is available right here, in the middle of it all.
Where Will My Feet Go Today?
As I sat with Jesus this morning, I began to realize that some of the things I had planned for today could wait.
The boxes aren't going anywhere. The cleaning will still need to be done. There will always be another task waiting for my attention.
But those tasks don't have to determine the direction of my day.
Jesus can do that.
Psalm 119:105 reminds us:
"Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." (NIV)
I don't need to see the entire path ahead. I just need to remain close enough to recognize where He's leading me next.
And today, that might mean setting aside some of those household tasks and going to a car show with my husband.
Maybe that's exactly where Jesus wants my feet to be.
Walking beside my husband. Enjoying the day. Saying hello to the people around us.
Perhaps He'll invite me into a conversation that lifts someone's spirit or encourages a heart.
Perhaps I'll simply be present with the people He places in my path.
I don't need to know all the details.
I just want to be available.
Because sitting at the feet of Jesus doesn't mean I stay in my chair all day.
It means I begin there, listening and connecting with Him, so that when I get up and move, I can walk with Him rather than running ahead of Him.
And perhaps that's the beautiful rhythm of grace He's teaching me.
Be present. Abide in Jesus. Then walk where He leads.
What If He's Already There?
As I reflect on this morning, another thought comes to mind.
What if being where our feet are isn't just about being present in the moment, but about recognizing that Jesus is already there with us?
He's present in the quiet moments in my yellow chair.
He's present when I'm carrying boxes up and down the stairs.
He's present in the unfinished rooms, the ordinary conversations, and the unexpected changes to my plans.
He's present when I'm walking beside my husband at a car show.
And He's present in the moments when my mind begins racing ahead of my feet.
I don't have to go somewhere special to find Him.
I simply need to become aware of the One who is already with me.
And isn't that the heart of His invitation in Matthew 11:28–30?
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28, NIV)
Jesus doesn't say, "Come to Me when you've finished everything."
He doesn't say, "Come to Me when your life is organized and your mind is finally quiet."
He simply says, "Come to Me."
And then He invites us to learn from Him, to walk in His ways, and to discover rest for our souls.
This is the invitation that became the cornerstone of Rhythms of Grace Life Coaching.
Not a life without responsibilities or challenges, but a life learning to move in step with Jesus.
A life where we can slow down, breathe deeply, and trust Him with what comes next.
An Invitation for You
So today, I want to invite you to notice your feet.
Where are they right now?
And perhaps more importantly, where is your mind taking you?
Are you already walking through the long list of things you want to accomplish?
Are you thinking about tomorrow while missing the gift of what's right in front of you today?
What might happen if you stopped for just a few moments?
If you settled into your chair, took a deep breath, and invited Jesus to speak?
Not because you have to.
Not because you've failed to spend enough time with Him.
But because He loves being with you.
Maybe He's inviting you to set something aside.
Maybe He's inviting you to rest.
Or maybe He's preparing to lead you somewhere you hadn't planned to go.
Whatever it is, I hope you'll give yourself permission to be present where your feet are.
And remember that Jesus is already there.
You don't have to finish everything before you come to Him. You can come just as you are, right where you are.
Before you begin walking through your day, take a moment to sit at His feet.
And when you get up, take His peace with you.
A Prayer for Today
Jesus, thank You for Your gentle invitation to come and sit with You. Thank You that Your presence is not dependent on how much I accomplish or how well I manage my day. Forgive me for the times I've allowed my busy thoughts to carry me away from the moment I'm in. Help me recognize that You are already here. Teach me to slow down, listen, and remain connected to You. And when it's time to move, guide my feet toward the people and places where You are calling me. I don't want to run ahead of You. I want to walk with You, trusting that Your grace is sufficient for each step. Amen.
Rooted in Truth. Transformed by Grace.
Shel Dammann Copyright 2026
Comments