You may not guess it by looking at me, but I used to be a long distance runner.  Over 20 years ago – long before I ever envisioned moving to Kenya, the country that consistently produces the most renowned long distance runners in the world – I would rise early each morning, lace up my running shoes, and join my cross-country teammates for a 5 mile run.  Immediately after school, we would do it all over again.  After weeks and months of such relentless pedial punishment, my feet were often blistered, torn, even bloody.  I had very unbeautiful feet.  Still do.

Interestingly enough, the Bible speaks about beautiful feet at some length.  Isaiah said, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news,” announcing freedom from Babylon (Is. 52:7).  Nahum spoke these same words announcing freedom from Assyria (Na. 1:15). Paul spoke these words announcing freedom from sin through faith. 

Consider Romans 10:13-15: 

For “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?  How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!” 

What an amazing passage!  In His omnipotent glory, God does not need us to accomplish the dissemination of the Gospel, but he honors us by allowing us to be part of the process.  While it is the responsibility of those who hear to put their trust in the Lord, it is our commission as Christians to send out ministers of the Word and even go ourselves.  Not only does he allow us to be conduits of blessing for everyone who hears and believes, but he commands it.  He commands us to have beautiful feet! 

If you were trapped in a burning building, powerless to save yourself, the most beautiful feet in the world would not belong to a supermodel with perfectly pedicured toes.  The most beautiful feet would belong to the person who came to rescue you, the one emerging from the billowing smoke and conflagration to pull you from fiery peril.  In the same way, God can use us as servants and messengers of His lifesaving Good News, whereby people may come to saving faith in Jesus Christ. 

Paul, the consummate missionary, was constantly on the move professing the Good News.  He clocked a lot of miles in sandals.  I bet his feet were callused and sore and dusty most of the time, but can you imagine two more beautiful feet?   

How beautiful are your feet?

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