Walking in the Valley A bi-weekly column, featuring one Christian's (a)musings on life's journey by Barbara Dahlgren

Funny Feet Column for the weeks of October 1-15, 2008

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When I was 16 I had a rude awakening. (Actually, I had many rude awakenings at 16, but I’ll just focus on one in this article.) It happened at a sleep over. There we were – six giggly girls in pajamas all barefoot. Suddenly, I looked at one girl’s foot and said, “Your foot is shaped kind of funny, isn’t it?”

She said, “I don’t think so.” To prove her point we all formed a little circle and put one foot in. To my chagrin, everyone’s feet looked the same and mine was different. Not just different, but a little misshapen and sort of ugly. Fortunately, my friends did not ostracize me, but having funny looking feet is a burden I carry even to this day.

Now don’t get me wrong. I walk just fine, have no foot problems, and have not been traumatized for this less than perfect feature. My feet are sturdy and serve me well. However, I’m not the first one to say, “Let’s go get a pedicure!” Who wants to draw attention to funny feet?

Therefore, poetic, biblical metaphors about beautiful feet fascinate me. For example: Isaiah 52:7 (NLT) says, “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns!” Leave it to God to use a metaphor about feet and make it seem beautiful – especially during a time when no one could boast of pretty feet!

In biblical times the custom was to go barefoot or wear sandals that could be easily slipped off and on. People walked to their destinations on dusty, unpaved country roads or through filthy streets, so feet took a lot of abuse. They were rough and calloused. When people visited or came home, they left their sandals at the door and washed their dirty feet before entering a house.

When these people heard a statement about feet being beautiful, they would probably look down and say, “How can my feet be beautiful?” But it’s the message that makes the feet beautiful, not the feet themselves. Everyone loves good news. Good news gladdens the heart and inspires. And if ugly, dirty feet are bringing the good news – well – then – they are considered beautiful.

Feet that carry good news remind me of missionaries who feel called to share the gospel in remote areas, sometimes placing their lives in danger. Some live in mud huts with no running water and face cultural mores we can only imagine. We take literacy and written communication for granted but some missionaries struggle with languages no Berlitz program has heard of – some with no alphabet, no written word, and no Bible. Yet, the love of God can transcend the heaviest challenge.

There are many places beautiful feet take the good news of peace and salvation in America. Christian volunteers do it all the time in prisons, hospitals, retirement homes, veteran’s facilities, homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and rehab centers.
Sharing the gospel isn’t just for bible teachers, preachers and those inclined to serve in areas already mentioned. All who know Jesus can share him on a personal level with friends, neighbors, co-workers, and family members. We can share the good news of Jesus with all we meet. This doesn’t mean we force salvation on unsuspecting acquaintances, but as we model Christian behavior, some may become curious. We can answer any questions people might have about Jesus and not shy away from sharing his good news of peace and salvation.

How beautiful are your feet? Mine are misshapen, border on being ugly and look funny. But even funny feet become beautiful when they share the good news of Jesus Christ.

Be sure to visit this page often to read the next edition of Walking in the Valley. You can write to the author at bdahlgren@wcgsouthbay.org.