Walking With Bruised HeelsParaugs

Clean Feet

Every now and then, I just need to be pampered. When I have a hard day or am upset about something, I need some TLC. My calloused heels alone could give someone nightmares.

I love that Jesus knelt down and washed His disciples’ feet. He isn’t put off by our callouses or bruises; He wants to comfort us and let us rest. He loves to serve us.

He’s also a high priest who understands. His heels received bruising we know nothing about. He experienced depths of pain like none of us ever will. He was beaten and bruised beyond recognition at the cross for us. He understands that we have seasons of weariness and in His great love for us, He kneels down and pampers us.

He massages and cleans our feet, bringing healing to the wounds inflicted by the evil one and refreshment to us for the path ahead. Just as He used physical water to wash His disciples’ feet in the Bible, He offers His living water to wash our souls clean from sin.

As we walk with Him, He ministers to us, comforting us along the journey. He’s the ultimate servant.

He knows that we face opposition, but the good news is that He restores us from the pain the enemy causes us. When we’re rejected for following Jesus, He tells us to shake the dust from our feet and move on. He’s got us covered.

Just as He washes our feet or refreshes and encourages us, He tells us to do the same for others. This is such a great reminder to serve the people around us, because we all need encouragement and help in this life. We can “wash others’ feet” by cooking a meal, writing an encouraging note, forgiving an offense, tutoring a child, or becoming a foster parent. The list goes on and on.

As we walk through life with Jesus, we can see that it’s not an easy path. It’s a narrow road with opposition at every turn. The enemy is desperate to stop us—he’s always grabbing at our feet, wanting us to get injured or stuck. He’ll stop at nothing to get us on the wide, destructive road that leads to death.

However, we have the God of the universe with us, forgiving us, encouraging us, comforting us, and empowering us along the way. He carries us through to victory.

Even when our feet take a beating, we’re called to take up our cross and follow Jesus. Jesus tells us that in this world, we’ll have trouble, but we can take heart because He has overcome the world. As we walk with God and stick by Him, we’ll find that He gives us all that we need each step of the way. He has given us a spacious place—a place of freedom, healing, good purposes, and green pastures.

Let’s pause here for a moment. The creator of the universe is for us and He allows us to rest and put up our weary feet. When we kneel before Him, we can take off our sandals, for we’re on holy ground.

Just as God instructed Moses and Joshua to take off their shoes in His presence, we too can “take off our shoes” and be vulnerable. Removing our shoes is a picture of intimacy and comfort. We don’t remove our shoes with just anyone. We’re safe in His presence and can reveal our true selves.

Right now, I encourage you take a moment to sit in stillness before God. Allow Him to clean your feet, refresh your soul, and guide you forward today.