“The art of the awareness of God, the art of sensing His presence in our daily lives cannot be learned offhand.” Abraham Heschel
Blessings often come in unexpected ways. I recently injured my foot. It was minor and is feeling better now. It has reminded me of something though. Little things matter. That injured foot affected the way I went about my day. It has made me slow down and be more intentional. It made me mindful of my shoes and the way I walked. When I overlooked it, there was a consequence. All the little everyday decisions we make affect us. All the little things, are the things that are making your life. It is so important to pay attention to them.
The priest Zechariah had to slow down as well. He didn’t hurt his foot. He lost his voice. And when it came back he had a lot to say. We learn how he had been spending his time. He had been thinking about and remembering what God had done. His last word, in what has become known as Zechariah’s song is “By the tender mercy of God, the dawn from on high will break upon us…to guide our feet in the way of peace.” The act of turning to God and being mindful of God makes all the difference. When you do, it changes you and the way you go about things. It reminds me of Psalm 119:105 which says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
Zechariah tells us that the light of the dawn will guide our feet. The psalmist tells us that God’s word with be like a lamp to our feet. It seems we only get enough light to illumine the space where we are. It’s as if it’s meant to be a little foggy. We can’t see a mile ahead or even a block ahead — it’s a lamp to our feet. A life of faith depends on God's leading one step at a time. We have to begin where our feet are planted and look for the light where we are.
Moreover, something happens when we become more aware of where we are and God's presence with us. As Barbara Brown Taylor writes, you can "take off your shoes and feel the earth beneath your feet, as if the ground on which you’re standing really is holy ground.”
Where are your feet?
What is going on with you? How are you doing with all the little things? All the little things of our life can overshadow the light. If we are not careful, the little things can be a stumbling block or they can weigh you down or stop you in your tracks.
It is possible to become more aware that you are standing on holy ground. It is both something you receive and something you work at. You have to open your eyes and your heart and ask God to help you see and know that God himself is with you and before you. God wants to guide your feet in the way of peace. Clear the way so you can see him and know the wonder of who he is, right where your feet are.