“Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.”
John 12:26
Feet are often in my thoughts lately.
Yes, you heard right.
Feet.
From the moment I wake up in the morning , I’m preoccupied with them. What colour are they? I check for swelling. I wonder if it will be a sore day or a mobile day.
Are these socks too tight? How much physio can I handle before I leave for work? Oh, lovely. Hubby has brought my vehicle close to the house. That reduces the number of steps I have to take to get to the garage.
Oops. That foot has gone to sleep. Stomp, stomp, rub.
Focus. Focus… heel, toe, roll. Keep good form. Ouch.
Is it swelling yet? Should I put it up at noon or get more work done instead over my lunch hour so I can get home earlier and ice it? Can I manage without the boot for another hour? Can I get these shoes on with the swelling?
Be efficient. Avoid extra steps. Sit and take a load off.
Drat. I’ve overdone it. Again. Where’s that ice pack?
I’ve never in my life exhibited such a fascination with feet. They are never far from my mind. I’ve gone from maybe a few minutes’ attention in a day to multiple thoughts and attentions all day, every day.
If my foot had a fan page, I’d be following.
It reminds me that I really should be foot following.
Just not mine.
Back in the day, Jesus talked quite a lot about following in His footsteps. He expected His disciples to take proverbial notes, emulate His character traits, copy His ways. He demonstrated day in and day out in the small things as well as the dramatic that loving was paramount. Humility trumped fame. Service and selflessness were the best ways to usher in this new kingdom of which He spoke.
In short, He was developing a foot following.
A preoccupation with Jesus – where He was going. What He was saying, to whom, and how. How He interacted with those who loved Him – and those who hated Him and wanted Him dead. Who He elevated, and who He condemned.
Imagine turning all your attention to where your spiritual feet were going.
What impact would that have on your day?
What ramifications would it have on your choices?
Hmmmm.
I have a feeling a lot of things would fall into place, because they would fade in significance. Like what should I wear? What do they think of me? And other things would float to the top and demand more attention. Where is my heart at? How can I best copy the attitudes of Jesus in this particular situation? What can I do to serve this one, or show love to that one?
It might require a shift in priorities – where we spend our money, time, or talents. It may require some sacrifice. It may even require cutting something temporary out of our lives to make room for what has even more eternal value.
So I’m doing some thinking.
About foot following.
Find ways to follow in Jesus’ footsteps with me?
Father, it is waaay too easy to fall into a habit of indulging ourselves over weighing our priorities in light of what You taught. Help us to only have one preoccupation – with how to serve and love You! Bless us with an internal shift as we ponder how to follow in Your footsteps. Amen.
Growing in Grace 