Why Feet?
Why would I do a four part series on feet? Am I some kind of sick, twisted housewife with a foot-fetish? No. Although, while researching this topic, I ran into more information than I ever wanted to know about those who are! The internet can be a scary place.
OK - What do feet have to do with spirituality? Well, a lot, actually. When I got the idea in my noggin to write this, I had no idea how many references the Bible would have to feet... 320, to be exact. That's an army of feet! But they weren't all talking about natural feet, of course. That's where the real lesson comes in. Most of these verses refer to our spiritual tootsies: the direction we are headed - our spiritual "footing". So I'm going to discuss our spiritual feet (the direction our souls are walking) and our physical feet (those ten piggies and such - peeking out of your flip-flops).
Spiritual Feet
I constantly use lotion on my feet - to keep them soft and minimize the effects of aging and constant wear-and-tear. A few days ago, while putting some on, I thought about how feet are linked to God's plan for us when a cute little Bible song from my childhood days popped in my head.
"Oh, be careful little feet where you go! Oh, be careful little feet where you go! Cuz the Father up above... is looking down in love... so be careful little feet where you go!"
Go figure that a simple Sunday-School song could bring about the desire for me to research the deeper meaning of feet in the Bible. That's just like my Jesus - always using the seemingly un-important, natural, overlooked and un-appreciated details of life to bring about life-changing, deep revelations. I started to wonder if I have the kind of Spiritual feet that are as well-taken care of as my physical feet?
Pedicure of the Soul
What kind of services would be listed on the wall in God's nail salon? What can he do for our feet?
- He GUIDES our feet: According to Luke 1:79, the Lord has plans to "guide our feet into the path of peace". I don't know about you, but I'd love some peace. I'm tired of stubbing my toes and getting blisters. I think I'll follow the Lord.
- He DIRECTS our feet: Psalm 119:105 (my favorite Psalm, by the way), says that God's Word "is a lamp to our feet"... making our "path straight" - showing us how to live.
- He PROTECTS our feet: Psalm 56:13 and 116:8 tell that God can keep our "feet from stumbling".
- He SECURES our feet: Psalm 40:2 says "He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand." This one could be my theme-verse. I could never thank Him enough. I praise the feet who took the nails for me.
Feet are Important, Too
In the book of 1 Corinthians, Paul discusses how we who are Christians are all part of one body of believers... and that we each have spiritual gifts to build each other up with. Some are preachers, some are teachers, some are encouragers, and some are servants. Each job is not better than the others, they are equally as important. So, in his analogy, the feet are just as important as the head - even though the head is seen by all, and admired. Those who get dirty changing diapers in the nursery so that young mothers can listen to the preacher are just as important as those writing best-selling Christian bible-studies. Everything we do for God counts... whether it is washing feet, or standing on a pulpit.
1 Corinthians 12:21 - The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!"
Most Famous Feet
What did the man who's feet we pierced do to our feet while he walked this earth? He washed them. He healed them. He helped us to stand on them. He led them. He saved them.
Psalm 22:16 - Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet.
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Note to readers: I am breaking this down into four different posts, on four different days, because I'm sure you people have real lives and wouldn't bother reading it otherwise. And, of course, I'm pathetic and have no web traffic, so it couldn't hurt to make you come back again for the other three segments.
Stay tuned soon for more on feet (The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly)... or click HERE for part 2!
9 comments:
Heather, this is wonderful! Our Church has an art exhibit, displaying work done by many of our members. One of the ladies, a photographer, did a piece on feet, too. I just saw it last Sunday and thought the photo was really neat. I, personally, have a "foot phobia." Thanks to you, I have a new appreciation for these, quite beautiful and practical, gifts from God!
Thanks Cindy. I love photography. I would enjoy seeing your friend's display.
I would definitely suck your toes (i.e. they are a gift from God)... Keep up the good work!
This is the first time visiting this site. I was lying in bed praying one night and I could hear what I call my inner voice ask me to wash someone's feet. I have to be honest, before hearing these words, I did think this task was beneath me but since hearing this words, I began to understand this is a true act of love and service which is two things I am striving to do. I came to the internet today and looked up the spiritual meaning of feet. This is where I found your website. I want to say thank you and I look forward to reading the rest.
God bless you! I thought I was crazy for a minute. God has been blessing me on the subject of feet for years. Even the email I created in 2003 is called "feetwashers" 7 years ago. I also have a blog I created a few months ago. In my search for more information about God's blessing of the feet, I stumbled onto your blog. Thanks so much for sharing the word of God. Be blessed!
Wow! amazing! I have known of washing of the feet but I never applied it to me. As a matter of fact, I have had my feet washed... how humbling it was and thought that was that...that is, until God instructed me to wash the feet of those who were in our church service that night. I was, to say the least, floored, just thinking how it would be accepted. It was! We had a wonderful time in His presence as each took turn washing the others feet. After I got home, of course, I wanted to know the spiritual significance of feet in the Bible and came across your blog.
Thank you.
I need you to all pray for my feet. The devil is attacking my feet. Several different things. I need a touch from God. Can't walk today and my right foot is swollen up so big from a bee sting, I couldn't go to church. Thanks God bless.
Please pray for my feet. I am having different enemy attacks on my feet. My right foot is so swollen from a bee sting, I couldn't go to church. Can't walk. Thanks for praying! God bless! Wish I had someone to wash my feet right now!
Indeed, our feet is one of the most important parts in our body. But it doesn't mean that when we are disabled, we can no longer be successful in life. That's why for those who are born completely and normally, be thankful with your feet. I am really thankful with my feet.
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