Sweet Feet

Yesterday I crossed off another item on my “bucket list.’  For the very first time – ever, I had a pedicure.  For years I have listened to friends raving about the wonders of having your feet and legs massaged and your toe nails painted.  I am here to tell you they did not exaggerate at all!  I sat in that chair with one foot in the warm, bubbling water, while the pedicurist worked on the other foot – trimming, buffing, massaging.  It was a little piece of heaven on earth.  Soon I was making quiet, little “happy noises.”  It seems, however, my “happy noises” were louder than I thought because the pedicurist jokingly commented on my moaning.  I guess one person’s “happy noise” is another person’s moan.

My dear friends, I would so love to invite you all over to see my massaged, relaxed, happy feet.  They are a thing of beauty!  I can’t stop admiring how lovely my “California Raspberry” colored toe nails are.  I do indeed have “sweet feet!”

In the process of enjoying this pedicure, I can’t help but be reminded of the words in Isaiah 52:7, “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’”  Now those really are beautiful feet!  They are feet that are willing to go to the ends of the earth and bring humanity the good news of God’s grace, a grace that fills our deepest longings and needs.  Those are the kind of beautiful feet I really want to have.  Just consider what an honor, what a privilege, what a blessing it is to get to be the one who boldly stands on their feet and proclaims the good news of Jesus Christ.  It should fill us with awe, wonder, and delight that WE are the ones chosen by God to have beautiful feet.  There is so much need and heartache in the lives of people around us.  Just think about the difference we can make if we choose to have beautiful feet……

To the lonely we bring good news that God will never leave or forsake them.  His presence is constant.

To the sorrowful we bring good news that weeping may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning.

To the discouraged we bring good news that God is faithful.  All we need to do is hold on tight to Him and persevere.

To the overwhelmed we bring good news that all who are weary and burdened can find rest in Him.

To the anxious and distraught we bring good news that they can stop being anxious and cast all their cares upon Him and He will give them peace that passes all understanding.

To those who feel the burden of guilt we bring the good news of complete forgiveness and redemption through the blood of Jesus Christ.

To those who are covered with shame we bring good news that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  God has set them free through the cross.

To those who feel rejected we bring good news that God accepts them just as they are.  He delights in them.  He rejoices over them with singing.  He welcomes them into His presence.

To those who are lost we get to bring the good news that God is watching, waiting for them to come to their senses and accept the free gift of salvation in Christ.  They will no longer be lost but belong to God’s family.

To those who are hopeless we get to bring the good news of hope that is poured out into their hearts by the Holy Spirit.  In Christ they have hope for today and hope for all eternity.

To those who are frightened we get to bring the good news that God is their refuge and their strength, an ever present help in time of trouble.

To those who are insecure we get to bring the good news that there is nothing that can separate them from God’s love.   We can assure them that they are chosen by God to be His masterpiece.

To those who feel powerless we get to bring the good news that our God reigns and is all-powerful.   We can assure them that Philippians 4:13 is true – we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

To those who feel unloved and unlovable, we can point them to the ultimate good news – the cross of Jesus Christ where the love of God is most evident.

Ephesians 6 talks about the importance of putting on the whole armor of God.  Verse15 reminds us that our feet are to be “fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.”  So I invite you to join me in striving to have “beautiful feet” that  are ready at all times, willing to go to all places for the purpose of sharing the good news of peace and salvation – to scream from the roof tops, “OUR GOD REIGNS!”  By the way, you’ll be able to recognize me.  I’ll be the one with the “sweet feet.”