“He said there was once an evangelist in India who tromped across the roads to various villages preaching the gospel. He was a simple man, no education, loved Jesus with all his heart, and was ready to lay his life down. And he came to a village that didn’t have the gospel. It was late in the day and he was very tired. But he goes into the village and lifts up his voice and shares the gospel with those gathered in the square. They mock him, deride him, and drive him out of town. And he was so tired—no emotional resources left—that he lies down under a tree, utterly discouraged. He goes to sleep not knowing if he’ll ever wake up. They might come kill him, for all he knows.
And suddenly, just after dusk, he is startled and wakes up. The whole town seems to be around him looking at him. He thinks he’s a goner. He starts to tremble, and one of the big men in the village says, “We came out to see what kind of man you were, and when we saw your blistered feet we knew you were a holy man. We want you to tell us why you got blistered feet to come talk to us.” So he preached the gospel and, according to J. Oswald Sanders, the whole village believed. That’s what Paul means by “I complete in my sufferings what is lacking in the afflictions of Jesus.”
-john piper-
Romans 10:15
‘And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’
In this world beautiful feet seem to be found in the spa after a pedicure.
In the Scripture we see that beautiful feet are callused and worn and dusty… from traveling, working, striving, and walking to those in need. They are worn and they are beautiful. beautiful because it is the proof that the heart that pumps the blood into those feet is filled with Christ’s love. It is filled to the brim to be poured out to others. That heart is not a heart of cold religion professing to believe and saying they love. It is a heart that believes and is moved to act. no matter the cost, no matter the pain, they have be saved by Christ and want the whole to know. they will go wherever He bids them to. they will take up their cross and follow Him. they will leave it all behind for Him. because they have seen and tasted that the LORD is good.
So the heart check now for me is, what condition do i find my heart and feet in?
am i consumed with myself and trying to be beautiful from world’s standards or am i consumed with Christ and His love and will carry His name to all people. to give and love others. to first love God with my soul, heart, and mind and then love others. truly love them. not just in word. but in deed and truth.
‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.’ John 15.12-13
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13.34-35
Be the light and shine in this dark world because Christ lives in you and me. Go and love. Love because He loves us. Give because He has given us the gift of salvation and abundant life to the full. Live. Live today for we will give account for our time spent. Build up treasures. Not here. Not treasures that can be seen. but Treasure that are in Heaven to be placed at the feet of our Great Lord and Savior. Work. Work hard as unto the Lord. Use the gifts He has given you. Use them to bring Him glory. whatever you say and do. do it for the glory of God. He alone is worthy to receive the glory, honor and power.
