At Jesus’ Feet (#157 of 365+)

“As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears” (Luke 7:38)

As terrible as it was, slavery produced the perfect conditions for a
great spiritual awakening among African-Americans in the 1800’s. The following lyrics are from one of many spirituals from that era:

“There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole
There is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul
Some times I feel discouraged and think my work’s in vain
But then the Holy Spirit revives my soul again
There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole
There is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul”

In a grand lobby at Johns Hopkins Medical Center towers a twenty-five-foot statue of Jesus Christ. Day and night he stretches out his healing hands towards visitors who gaze up at him. Since untold throngs have come through those very doors seeking treatment for a variety of life-altering and life-threatening diseases, I think it’s fitting all their journeys began there at the feet of the Great Physician.

There are hopeless circumstances—like slavery and sickness—when a person is pushed down so low there’s nowhere to look but up. Those are perfect opportunities for God to work a miracle. As Joni said, “Amazing things happened at the feet of Jesus… Bowing low before him gives a view of life like no other”.

Lord, may I learn to quiet myself more often and fall at your feet to worship, weep, repent, pray, or just wait for your touch… Thank you for always responding with compassion whenever I open up my heart to you. Your peace is a healing balm to my weary soul. Amen.