Beautiful Feet

To those who do not like feet, despite their utility and necessity in life, the title may make you cringe a bit. However, after this post, you may see feet in a new light. Personally, I am a foot guy. By no means do I have a fetish or obsession with our ankles' neighbors, but I like them, think they are useful (obviously), and appreciate them. In the words of Lieutenant Dan, there are "Two standing orders in this platoon: One, take good care of your feet; Two, try not to do anything stupid, like getting yourself killed." Feet deserve attention, respect, and care. Imagine walking, marching, and running miles with bad feet. Imagine climbing the stairs with bad feet. If you are like me, it makes your feet tighten a bit at the thought of those things. Most of us have experienced foot pain, whether it be through surgery, bunions, bad shoes, high heels- thankfully I do not know this feeling and never will-, a nail through the foot, ants having a go through your socks and shoes, etc. It is no fun and really affects the rest of your body as well. Not walking, or not walking well prevents people from doing all sorts of things. Take a moment and think about all your feet enable you to do...It is a whole lot.

The Bible mentions feet a good bit, or at least more than one would think. John describes in his gospel Jesus washing the feet of His disciples; what an amazing showing of service, love, and appreciation. It is shown in 1st Samuel how this is not an esteemed service by any means: "

"And she arose, and bowed herself on [her] face to the earth, and said, Behold, [let] thine handmaid [be] a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord."

It does show how necessary feet are to a person, how disgusting it must be to clean them (just think of that guy who always wheres sandals and his/her feet always smell ferociously nasty), and how humbling it is to be the one who cleans others feet. Isaiah gives a reference to feet as well equating the licking of ones feet to the ruling of kings and queens:

"And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me."

If anyone is a student of American History, specifically the views of founding fathers on the intertwining of religion and politics, you will recognize the nursing fathers phrase as a key theme in early debates on the role of government in society. David also describes feet as being guided by the Word of God: "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." ~Psalm 119:105

So, there are a good bit of references to feet in the Bible, these only being a handful, and all have key similarities. One, feet are shown to be gross as one is constantly walking in sandals over dirt, rocks, and mud. They are drenched in sweat, stale, stagnant water, and covered in callouses, bruises, cuts, etc. Two, despite all of that, they are conveyed as very necessary for everyday life, as we all know as well. Three, those who deal with feet are low, humble, and either in service to or subservient to another.

In light of this project to the Middle East, one verse in particular has stood out to me, namely Isaiah 52:7: "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” Wow! Feet are beautiful. What an odd way to express someone bringing good news. Imagine, someone knocks on your door and gives you a check for 100 dollars and the first thing you think is, "oh, how beautiful your feet are!" Or, you drop your phone in line to pay for your groceries and do not notice. Low and behold someone runs after you as you begin to place the bought items in your trunk and says "I believe this is yours." Certainly you would say "oh thank you and your beautiful feet!" Right? Heck no, their feet is the last thing we consider. Isaiah, you must be crazy. Or is he?

Looking at this reference I cannot help but to see how meaningful it is. How beautiful are the feet of one who brings good news. Take a peek back at Isaiah 52:7. The person's face is not mentioned. That particular human did not necessarily have a good voice. It is not known whether or not he was a well framed man. Whether or not he was tall or short is not referenced. Only the man's feet. How interesting, and I add, how brilliant! Isaiah's man, for lack of a better term, mentioned here brought good news, spoke and published peace, spoke happiness, and published salvation, all in declaration that God reigns. How did this man get here? His feet. What enabled this man to stand upon the mountain? Not his will, or someone holding him up, but his own feet. By what means did this man get back to whence he came? His feet.

Today we have cars, planes, trains, bicycles, and so many more modes of transportation to where feet are used less and less. That is okay, and not necessarily a bad thing. We have neglected out feet though. Our shoes get more padding in them each time another pair is produced. They also cover up ones feet as do socks which also prevent the smell of one's feet. Doctors are now telling patients to stand more for good health, as seen on Dr. Oz this past Friday, because we spend so much time off our feet. On the same lines we have begun a virtual foot revolution. Shoes are most recently made to mimic one's natural movement as seen with those new weird looking toe shoes and other lightweight running shoes. We have foot baths which massage and help heal our aching feet. I am sure you can think of many more examples of ways we both neglect and recognize our feet today.

So, what's the point? Well, feet, which we established to be dirty, grimy, pretty gross most often, and linked to service and humility, are now seen as beautiful. That is a big change. I see the change connected to something so deep that it changes one's whole outlook. Who cares about dirt and grime when they have or hear good news? Who gives a rip about sweat and mud when they hear of happiness. Why would someone dwell on stench when salvation is right in front of them? It would not happen. How beautiful are the feet of him who brings the good news of happiness and salvation!

In less than a month I will be joining ten others in going to the Middle East to bring good news. In no way do I dwell on my feet or pray for them, but instead I recognize the beauty and majesty in bringing someone else good news. My team and me are going to present a broken, violent, confused, hating nation with hope, love, peace, and truth. That is a beautiful task despite the danger. It is a beautiful task despite the probability that not many will want to listen. Everything cast aside it is an honor and privilege to be him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to... [the Muslim World] Christ reigns!"

I pray you rejoice with me in this task. Please pray for my team and me. Please give in any way that you can. Please join me. Be one who bears good news and whose feet are beautiful.