Something I just love about summer is the change of pace—don’t you agree? The rest of the year feels like a rush. The kids have more with school, maybe more extracurriculars, and everything just moves faster. But summer feels like an invitation to slow down, refocus, and breathe.
I spend a lot of time sitting on the front porch of my parents’ house during the summer. I love going out there in the morning with my tea. I love sitting there again in the afternoon, watching the kids play, sometimes eating ice cream or watermelon. And even after we’ve tucked the kids into bed, I’ll often go back to the same place—to say goodbye to the day, to simply enjoy and rest. And I think to myself, “Wouldn’t it be amazing to have this kind of peace all year round—not just on summer days?”
Thankfully, Jesus invites us to something even better than this. He offers us a slower, more centered rhythm every day. He invites us to sit with Him.
Now, when I talk about the verb “to sit,” I’m referring to a spiritual posture. Of course, it can include physically sitting, but more importantly, it’s about the heart.
Seated with Christ
Ephesians 2:4–7 (NLT)
But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.
This passage doesn’t just say we were raised to life—it says we were seated with Christ in the heavenly realms. Why? Because we are united with Him. That word seated changes everything. It redefines how we see ourselves. We are no longer the center of our own lives—we are already seated with Jesus. If we believe in Him, He hasn’t just rescued us; He’s positioned us in heavenly places. Though we still live on earth, our citizenship is in heaven.
This would’ve been mind-blowing for Paul’s original audience, especially the Gentiles. Remember, Jews and Gentiles didn’t exactly get along. They didn’t “sit” together. But the Gospel is for everyone—Jews and non-Jews alike. God unites us not only with Him, but with each other.
Now, why does it matter that Jesus Himself is seated? Let’s look at Hebrews 10.
Hebrews 10:9–18
(Excerpted for brevity)
Under the old covenant, the priest stands and ministers before the altar day after day, offering the same sacrifices again and again, which can never take away sins. But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand... For by that one offering, he forever made perfect those who are being made holy... “I will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds.”
Under the old covenant, the priests never sat down—they couldn’t. Their work was never finished. But Jesus, our Great High Priest, offered Himself once and for all, and then He sat down. Why? Because the work of redemption is complete. There are no more sacrifices to make.
And now, He invites us to sit with Him—to rest in what He has already done.
Seated and Filled
John 6:35
Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
Jesus invites us to feast on the living bread—Himself. But we often settle for spiritual fast food and then wonder why we feel empty. As one pastor put it, many of us try to survive the whole week on the spiritual "bread" we received on Sunday. But just like the Israelites had to gather manna daily, we need fresh nourishment from the Lord each day.
I’m guilty of trying to “fill up” too quickly. Anyone else? I might read my Bible and do my devotional, but I do it fast—like drinking a smoothie instead of sitting down for a real meal. And why don’t I have time? Because I let other things pull me away.
It’s like when my kids want to leave the table after only a few bites. They don’t yet understand the beauty and benefit of a slow, shared meal. But we, as adults, know the importance of lingering at the table—of building relationships.
In fact, after two decades of research, Harvard scientists have confirmed what we instinctively know: sitting down to eat together improves mental health, fosters connection, reduces bullying, promotes healthier habits, and more.
If that’s what happens when we sit down with family, imagine what happens when we sit with Jesus and His Word.
Psalm 34:8
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Maybe your schedule is packed. But what if you could wake up just a bit earlier? Listen to Scripture during your commute? Meditate on a single verse as you go through your day? Let it sink in—let it nourish you.
When we take this daily posture of sitting with Jesus, the Holy Spirit digests the Word in our hearts and transforms us.
Sitting and Transformed
When we take the seat Jesus has prepared for us and feast on His Word, it transforms how we live. Our identity in Christ shapes our reality here on earth. We can rest. We can stop striving. We can be free from comparison and worldly desires—because we’re seated with the King of Kings.
Colossians 3:1–4
Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.
This position also gives us spiritual authority.
Ephesians 1 tells us that God seated Christ at His right hand—far above all powers and authorities. And because we are in Christ, we share in that authority. The enemy will try to distract us from this truth. He wants to occupy our thoughts with lies. But we can resist him. How? Through prayer. We don't fight in our own strength—we pray in the name of Jesus because we are seated with Him.
So if you’re feeling dry or distant from God—if your hunger for His Word feels weak—pray. Ask Him to stir up that hunger again. Don’t let the enemy’s lies steal your seat. When we daily choose to sit with Jesus, we become less susceptible to those lies.
When we understand that we’re seated with the King of the universe, everything changes. We stop obsessing over ourselves and start focusing on Him. We see His love, tenderness, and truth. We rest in the security of who we are in Him.
I love how Ephesians 2:7 concludes:
So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.
God shows the world His grace through us—through those who are seated with Christ.
So I encourage you: live from your seat with Jesus.
Sit down. Be united with Him. Be filled. Be transformed.
Just like I head to that front porch chair every chance I get, go take your seat with Jesus today.
He’s already there—waiting for you.
ABOUT THE BLOGGER:
Maritza Zavala Smith was born in Guanajuato, Mexico, and moved to the US when she was seven. She studied Public Health at Penn State where she met her husband. They have been married for 8 years and have twin boys and a baby girl. Maritza loves traveling and salsa dancing. When she is not delighting in matcha green tea lattes and being outdoors with loved ones, you can find her adventuring with her tribe through books.