August 29, 2018

Clean Feet

I can’t stand having dirty feet! It is definitely a pet peeve of mine; the feeling drives me crazy. I guess it’s a sensory thing… My complaint this summer is that I’ve been picking up ash on the bottom of my shoes.

Pray for Lake County.

We have lived through successive years of wildfires that ravaged our beautiful area. At last report, over 53% of the land has been burned since 2012. Thousands were evacuated for varying periods of time and more than 2,000 homes have been destroyed. But, lessons come out of the experiences, like beauty from the ash and truth from God’s Word.

Our community continues to endure many days of smoky skies and poor visibility. The scenic vistas of our lake and its surrounding mountains disappear with the grey, orange blanket of smoke. And this year our little town and surroundings had to deal with the ash being blown our way. For the first two weeks the snow-like substance was caught up in the erratic winds and floated in the air covering every surface. If you haven’t experienced it, the ash sticks to the cobwebs as well as layers itself on trees, bushes, and cars. Nothing is safe as it even seeps in through any windows left open.

As a result this summer, the first thing I do when I get home is to take off my shoes so I don’t spread the ash onto our carpet.

If I want clean floors, I need clean feet.

This world is dirty, and we pick up its filth on our feet as we go about our days. I reflect on an image of us on our personal, spiritual paths as well as to stories of life during Bible times.

It made me think of Jesus and the account in John 13. The Lord and Savior of all creation stooped to wash the feet of His disciples at the Last Supper. After he removed His outer garment and wrapped a towel around his waist, He approached each one. When He got to Simon Peter, Jesus was met with resistance to which He stated, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

Simon Peter told Jesus that he wouldn’t let the Master wash his feet. Jesus replied that he must or Peter would, “have no part” with Him. Peter went on, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” He got worried that he needed more. Peter didn’t understand the lesson at that time.

Jesus taught that as believers we have been washed by the blood and have been made clean. “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean.”

Symbolically, the dirt needed to be washed off of their feet, just as the sin and influences of this world need to be washed from our hearts on a daily basis.

I know for myself, there have been too many instances in my life when I thought I needed a full cleansing…again…and again. You may have felt the same—ashamed and confused. As followers of Jesus, we need to close our ears to that lie. The truth is that we have been washed by the blood of the Lamb. It’s a done deal.

Yes, we mess up. Big time.

We choose our own way. Our “feet” get dirty not only because of our own choosing but also the filth of the world. Even on a good day it’s unavoidable—just like the ash outside my home.