Blessed Feet And Very Beautiful

Aren’t those feet beautiful, even when there are no shoes on them?

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! (Romans 10:13-15 KJV)

I know the man who walks upon these feet.  I’ve seen a similar photo every so often because he can replace his shoes, and the people he serves cannot. He is a missionary to the homeless.  He could be in any city near you, but he’s geographically close to us and part of his financial support comes from our church. All of his spiritual support comes from our Lord. And our Lord hears many prayers in support of His work through this man who lives a biblical admonition:

. . .  him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. (Luke 6:29b KJV)

I’ve known this missionary long enough to understand how strong is faith is. When he spoke about his mission field, we heard the love he had for the homeless. We’ve been blessed to help him reach out with sacks from our ladies support group that held snacks; our church has provided clothing; we’ve taken special offerings for specific requests.

We saw another church actually donate a building! A community where the previous congregation either moved away, or died, became “Homeless No More”, where food is provided on Sunday, plus “Biscuits and Bibles” Wednesday mornings. These combine with a Saturday outreach where clothing is made available to those in need – which sometimes include the very shoes on the missionary’s feet. It doesn’t stop there. I also have a photo of his wife’s stocking feet – she is just as involved as her husband.

They do this because they believe what the Bible says:

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?

And, they believe they are called to do it. They are part of the body of Christ, different people doing different things:

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. . . .  And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. (1 Corinthians 12:1, 6 KJV)

Not many are called to do the preaching, but we are all called to do the teaching – to share what we’ve learned to people we love, and we are to love everyone:

And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (Matthew 22:39 KJV)

We aren’t given a choice to pick and choose who we are to love. God requires that we love everyone and show it in action:

My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. (1 John 3:18 KJV)

Frankly, that is difficult in our current world. There have been times in history that it was even more difficult, but there isn’t a verse that says “. . . love everyone except . . .” We don’t get to pick and choose who we must see as a soul, a person receiving God’s love.

How do we reach those we cannot see as lovable? The change much come from ourselves, and the easiest way is to pray for them. Yes – pray for blessings from God for people you can’t stand to be around. Pray for their relationship to God. Pray they will see God’s work around them, and that they see His love in their lives. Even when they have been damaging to you:

But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. (Luke 6:27-28 KJV)

If you don’t, it’s hard to see God’s love in ourselves. The Bible tells us so:

For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. (Luke 6:32-33 KJV)

Is it easy? It hasn’t been for me, for certain. There are people who seem to be impossible for even God to love since He is said to hate sinfulness. Not our call, is it? We’re told to pray for them. Join me in such prayer, and be a child of God:

But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.  (Luke 6:35-36 KJV)