"How Beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news." Romans 10:15

Beautiful Feet Essay Contest Winning Essay
By Emily R. Spitzer

Think of what Jesus’ feet must have looked like as he walked for hours around Jerusalem, Capernaum and Samaria. Take a moment and imagine them! I bet they weren’t soft or sophisticated feet, and they probably didn’t smell like perfume. They were beautiful though. Cracked and dirty, perhaps even mangled from rocks or stubbing a few toes in His day. They could have smelled like fishy water from the Sea of Galilee.

But what could people see in the grime? I wonder if even in His feet people could see compassion, know kindness, smell sincerity. What wonder those people must have felt as they watched His sandal prints in the dirt as He walked away after healing sickness, touching people, changing lives.

Jesus was a man who, after miles of travel, was still excited for the next person He would meet along the dusty road and who wasn’t afraid to get people’s mess all over Him. Feet can’t be more beautiful than that.

Editorial Response: Give Up Your Feet
By Valerie Kretz

We all know that as Christians we are called to be like Jesus. At some point you have probably asked yourself, “Do I have the heart of Jesus showing people compassion,” or “Do I have Jesus’ eyes, seeing people as He would see them,” but have you ever asked yourself if you have the feet of Jesus?

As Emily wrote, Jesus’ feet were dirty. His feet were weathered because He had the first New Testament traveling ministry. He walked from town to town spreading hope and demonstrating God’s love, not just to His people the Jews but also in “foreign” lands. You can have the feet of Jesus by doing the same.

The question for you today is, “Are you willing to give up your feet?” Before you answer, really consider these three things. First, your feet represent your freedom. They give you the ability to move, to do what you want. Without them, you’ll have to rely on God. That’s what missions is all about, sacrificing our feet, allowing God to take us where He wants, which may mean giving up our plans.

Second, God will take you to a place where you’ll get dirty. Jesus set the example for us as a servant, and servants deal with messes. He spent time with the “dirty” people of His day. You have to consider whether or not you are willing to immerse yourself in the grime for the sake of people.

Third, Jesus was on His feet a lot. We know that there were times He rested, but there must have also been times that his feet ached and He pressed on. In your endeavors to share the good news you will get tired and have some painful experiences, but if you make these sacrifices, God will make your feet beautiful as the Bible promises.

If you are willing to give up your freedom your feet will always be in the right place at the right time, if you are willing to get dirty you will reap the eternal rewards of being a servant and if you are willing to let your feet hurt they will become stronger. Maybe someone will look at your feet, see where they have traveled, sense your sacrifice and see Jesus. Wouldn’t that be worth giving up your feet?