Column: Life’s lemons

Kaylene Vieselmeyer
Columnist
April 22, 2004, Page 4

The flip-flop season is upon us.
The sound of plastic flopping down the path and the sight of bare toes exposed to the cool spring air reminds me of service.
Feet are a frequent topic in the Bible. Feet are a symbol of service and how we are to serve one another.
I realized after a road march this weekend how important it is to take care of your feet and the feet of those around you. When the blisters come the trail seems to grow longer.
It seems the older we get the harder it is to look at them. Each callus, each blister and each crocked nail reminds us of the roads we have all been down.
The service of feet was especially important during Bible times since everyone wore sandals.
Feet would become very dirty from the sand and dirt roads which they traveled on.
Traveling by foot was usually the only way to travel.
In Luke chapter 9 we are reminded of how important the feet of Jesus were.
"When a women who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them." (Luke 9:37-38)
Jesus used this symbol of feet to show something to His disciples. In the Gospel of John we find how Jesus washed each disciples feet.
“When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. ‘Do you understand what I have done for you?’ He asked them. You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” (John 13:10-17).
Jesus asks us to do the dirty things and the tough things for each other, even if it involves washing each others feet.
Doing for others as He has done for us. No matter the roads or trails that we travel our feet will be guided by Christ.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” (Psalm 119:105).