A Seat at the Feet of Jesus

Personal Updates and Encouragement

Jul 16, 2026

Hello Friends and Family,

When we truly trust God to lead our lives, we begin to experience many divine appointments along the journey. Often, we may not fully understand what He is doing at the moment. Seasons change, and with them, our assignments also change. Some people gradually move out of our lives, while God brings new people and new relationships into our path for the next season.

Recently, I was listening to a talk where the speaker mentioned something about our nature works, and it stayed with me deeply. Let me rephrase it in this context — when a purpose or season is completed, God, in His wisdom, allows certain people, situations, or circumstances to move away, and He brings in new ones according to His plan. At times, it may feel confusing or even painful, but when we look back, we can clearly see His hand guiding every transition with purpose and love.

In May, I had the privilege of traveling to Canada for the SFCNA Canada Region Meet, and I can only describe the experience as deeply blessed. I had the joy of meeting so many wonderful individuals. Attending the meetings was nothing short of enriching and uplifting; the kind of gatherings that remind you why you do what you do.

And that brings me to what has been on my heart since returning — something I believe many of us, especially those in leadership and ministry, desperately need to hear.

Finding a Seat at the Feet of Jesus

In the Gospel of Luke, there is a story that is short but enormous in significance. Jesus had come to visit the home of two sisters — Mary and Martha. Martha, ever the faithful host, busied herself with all the preparations that needed to be done. Mary, on the other hand, sat at the feet of Jesus and listened to His words. When Martha, overwhelmed by all she was doing, complained and asked Jesus to send her sister to help, His response was gentle but piercing:

“Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed — or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” — Luke 10:41-42

Now, let us be careful not to misread this passage. Martha was not wrong for serving. Hospitality is a gift. Preparation is necessary. The work of ministry matters. But Jesus was drawing attention to something critical: the work must never crowd out the Worker. The service must never replace the Savior. And the preparations of life must never rob us of the one thing that is truly needed — time spent at His feet.

What Happens When We Neglect the Seat?

If we are honest with ourselves, most of us are far more Martha than Mary. We fill our calendars, lead our teams, carry our responsibilities, and check our to-do lists — often at the expense of quiet, unhurried time with Jesus. And the consequences are real.

We become spiritually depleted. Activity without communion drains the soul. We can minister to hundreds and still feel completely empty because we have been giving out of our own reserves rather than out of overflow.

We lose our sense of direction. Mary sat at the feet of Jesus because that is where clarity comes from. When we skip that seat, we begin to lead from our own understanding — our strategies, our plans, our instincts. And slowly, almost imperceptibly, our agenda replaces His.

We become anxious and distracted. Notice that Martha was worried and troubled. That is what busyness without Jesus produces — anxiety. When we are not anchored in His presence, everything feels urgent, everything feels like a crisis, and we become irritable, reactive, and burned out.

We lose our intimacy with Him. Perhaps most painfully, neglecting this practice turns our faith into a performance. We become very good at doing things for Jesus while growing increasingly distant from Jesus. And at that point, the fire begins to go out.

Choosing the Better Thing — Intentionally

The word that stands out to me in Jesus’ response is chosen. Mary chose to sit at His feet. It was not accidental. It was not a passive default. In the middle of a busy household, with tasks swirling all around her, Mary made a deliberate decision.

This is the invitation for all of us — especially those in leadership, those carrying heavy assignments, those whose schedules seem to leave no margin. We must choose the seat.

Sitting at the feet of Jesus is not laziness. It is the most productive thing you can do. It is where strategy meets Spirit. Furthermore, it is where the servant becomes aligned with the Master’s heart. It is where weary leaders find renewed strength, fresh vision, and the courage to keep going.

Practically, this means carving out time that is non-negotiable — time that is not about intercession lists or sermon preparation, but simply being with Him. Listening. Waiting. Letting His Word wash over you. Allowing the Holy Spirit to speak into the deep places of your heart.

Staying Fit for the Journey — Spiritual Fitness: Training for Godliness

This is precisely why I wrote my book, Spiritual Fitness: Training for Gardeners. As leaders and laborers in God’s kingdom, we are gardeners — entrusted with the care of souls, communities, and assignments that God has placed in our hands. But a gardener who is not spiritually fit will eventually find themselves unable to tend what they have been given.

The book is a practical guide to building the habits, rhythms, and disciplines that keep us rooted — including the irreplaceable practice of sitting at the feet of Jesus. It is written for people like you: people who are doing meaningful work but who sense the need to go deeper, to build a sustainable inner life that can carry the weight of an outer calling.

If you have not yet gotten your copy, I want to encourage you to do so. It could be exactly what you need for this season.

📖 Get your copy of Spiritual Fitness: Training for Godliness here

A Final Word

My prayer for you is simple: that you would find your seat. In the rush of this week, in the middle of everything demanding your attention, may you make the same deliberate choice Mary made. May you sit at His feet, may you listen to His voice, and may you discover — as so many have before you — that everything flows better from that one place.

He is not just your assignment. He is your portion.

Until next time, be blessed.

✍️Quotes of this edition

“Ministry is not about ambition; it is about readiness to serve.” – John Stott

“God does not call the qualified, He qualifies the called.” – Augustine of Hippo

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” – Charles H. Spurgeon

📔My Health/Personal Update

Thank you for your continued prayers for my complete recovery. By God’s grace, I have been doing well. My next appointment is in July. Attempts are being made to reduce medications. I deeply value and appreciate your continued prayers during this season.

Once again, I want to thank everyone who has not given up but continues to pray for me.

🔥Focus for the next few weeks.

Travel Preperation
Local Ministry Assignments

📚Reading Updates

My updated reading profile is here - Goodreads profile.

🎓Some articles worth reading

If this encouraged you, please share it with a friend or fellow leader who might need it. And feel free to reply — I would love to hear what God is doing in your life.

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Early Morning at Wilderness Prayer Fellowship, Frederic, WI

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