Stinky Feet

Photo by: Gabby Orcutt

One evening while preparing a bath for my little sweeties, the younger hoping to avoid tub time altogether said, "Mama, I'm not dirty. We didn't even go outside today." A cursory glance from the side of the tub revealed no dirt in her hair or on her face. Hands and fingernails appeared clean. Oh, but when the boots came off! I am quite sure the stench reached Heaven's Gates. At that moment, an image flashed into my mind.

In Biblical times, it was customary to wash the dust off the feet because the people wore sandals instead of shoes like we have today and they usually went barefoot in their homes. Feet washing was usually done before meals, but in John Chapter 13, Jesus washed his disciples' feet after the Passover Feast. Remember the Passover was observed to recount the story of Moses and the exodus from Egypt. God spared or passed over the houses that were marked with the blood of the sacrificial lamb. By now you would think the disciples would know everything Jesus did was unorthodox and usually symbolic of something far greater than the act. However, when he came to Simon Peter, he was questioned by the disciple, "You are going to wash my feet?" Jesus replied, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." Peter then asked the Lord to wash his hands and head as well. Jesus' response is so powerful! He said, "a person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet." By the time Jesus washed the feet of his unsuspecting friends, he knew the time had come when he would take the place of the sacrificial lamb at Calvary.

Think about this. 1 John 1:9 tells us that when we come to the Lord repentantly, confessing our sins, “He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." That is the bathing process and is only possible because Jesus became the sacrificial Lamb for our sin. We know in the spiritual sense, the feet represent our walk with the Lord. Our daily walk gets dusty on our journey. We walk through hard times, we trudge through murky waters, and we even hike through hell sometimes. Unfortunately, we come through these situations less attractive than when we went in. Perhaps we carry a stinky attitude, bitter words, or ugly resentment and we need to rid ourselves of the stench. We may be clean because we know Jesus as our Savior, but do we pass the smell test? I have been thinking about situations in my life and evaluating my reactions, my attitude, and my walk. If I am to lead others to Christ, is my path worth following?

My kids have the sweetest little feet, but after walking around in sweaty boots, they stink. So, they look sweet, but they do not smell sweet. We may not realize the little things that are putrid to others. If I lose patience with a slow server at a busy restaurant, or gossip with a group of ladies at my kids' school, or treat someone rudely, or if I spew profanity, are my feet clean? Though I am the righteousness of God through Christ Jesus, according to 2 Corinthians 5:21, am I representing Him well?  Who would want what I have? How am I making a difference in the world?

That is not to say we should walk around with a fake disposition and a counterfeit smile. That is a bigger stench in my opinion. I see people all the time paint these lovely pictures of their lives on social media. Perfect husband, perfect children, perfect life. When in fact, things are not even close to perfect. Obviously, we should not always share the private details of our lives, but we must be real about our need for Jesus so others who need Him can find Him, too. In our imperfections, His perfection shines through.  When a crisis hits your home, will others see the you that stands on the rock of salvation as you proclaim or will the paper doll that was once dressed up and wrapped up in perfection hang in threads?

We must put our trust and hope in Him, glorify Him that He may be glorified in us. No one will ever see me perfect, but I pray they see that I am loved perfectly by Him. He washes my feet, cleans up my walk, and in turn, is glorified in my life. It is my prayer that others will want to place their hope and trust in Him because of the good work He has done in me. For without Him, we are nothing. David said, in Psalm 40:3, "He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord."

We know the destination and that is glorious! To me, though, the journey here can take us to Heaven paces right here on earth. Others are depending on us to get it right so we should strive every day to live good, clean lives. We must represent Jesus well.

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!'"