Beautiful Feet

December 14, 2007

By Paul Veliquette

Feet are not necessarily the most beautiful feature of our human anatomy. Early in my marriage I learned that a sign of my deep and enduring love would be to massage the feet of my beloved wife, Glenda. She was born with problem feet and at an early age developed bunions. We have talked for years and years about the necessity to have surgery to remove them and to straighten the toes. The pain and discomfort finally tipped the balance in favor of surgery.

On Thursday, Oct. 18, we went to the hospital for surgery. Without all the gory details, I will just say that a scalpel, a saw, pins and needles were involved! We took her home with feet that were wrapped with miles of gauze and tape and funny shoes. The wheelchair and walker were the only modes of transportation. The first eight days were pretty much spent on the bed with her feet elevated.

It is not my nature to be a good nurse, so it was a stretching time for us. We had a host of people praying for Glenda and for me. WE MADE IT!! This week we went back for the two-week appointment. The doctor unveiled her masterpiece. Glenda's were truly beautiful feet.

There is an interesting Scripture that talks about feet. Isaiah 52:7 (NIV) says, "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, 'Your God reigns!' " It is not really about feet but about the message.

In the pre-electronic age messages were delivered by runners, sometimes carrying written message and sometimes verbal messages. The message, when positive and upbeat, had the effect of beautifying the messenger. I suppose there could be a corollary of bad message, bad feet!

Imagine what it must have been like for the people to know the runner was coming with news.

Is it good? Is it bad? How soon we will know? There on the horizon a figure is spotted. People cry out to others that the messenger is on his way. Anticipation, excitement and even a little fear fill the air. Closer and closer the runner comes until the sound of pounding feet is heard, and you can see the exertion of the runner. Finally, he breaks into the circle of people who cannot wait to hear the news. He musters his strength and speaks with authority and clarity, "Your God reigns." Cheers and shouts of joy rise from the crowd of eager listeners. It is a good message. The dirty, sweaty, smelly feet of the messenger truly are beautiful feet!

The story makes me muse and reflect on my feet! Are they beautiful? Do they carry a good news message? Will I be welcomed and greeted with the same nervousness and anticipation? After I have delivered the message, will my feet be declared beautiful? I am so privileged to be the bearer of good news! It is news about forgiveness, grace, mercy, healing and wholeness. It is about that very special God-Man named Jesus. His name means Savior.

There have been times in my life, to my own shame, where I thought the message was about hell, judgment and an angry God. I tried to use the Word of God like a weapon to destroy instead of a healing balm. I came with ugly feet.

I know now that "all (people) have sinned," and it is only by grace that we are saved. That is what this world needs to hear.

What about you? Do you have beautiful feet?

-- Paul Veliquette is pastor of Windsor (Colo.) Assembly of God.