Beautiful Feet

Isaiah 52:7 “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring Good News.”

I must tell you about a little girl named Zoe.  I met her while on a mission trip to an orphanage in Jamaica.  Zoe is a spunky active little girl who lives at the orphanage and goes to kindergarten just like any other child.  But life for Zoe, like most children I met, had a most unpleasant start.  Upon arrival to the children’s home as an infant, Zoe was completely worn out and exhausted from screaming and crying with no one attending to her helpless attempts for rescue so much, that pollups formed on her vocal cords and to this day she talks in a very hoarse and raspy tone.  The story is told that Zoe, unlike most infants, who are still curled up from being in their mother’s womb and snuggled in blankets, was limp and lifeless with limbs open upon arrival to the orphanage; silent and without a voice.  The staff had to tightly swaddle her and hold her close to them for her to be able to begin to learn attachment, bonding, and to “bring her back to life”.  Thank goodness for the love and care that she has been given over her tender years and although very needy Zoe is an active, lively, and thriving child.  I had the honor to meet Zoe in a very special way while at the Robin's Nest. I was sitting in a wooden rocking chair the first morning of our trip drinking a cup of coffee and taking in all the busy activities of the morning as the children were getting off to school.  Still completely overwhelmed emotionally by the entire situation of last nights drive up the steep mountain in a terrain of pot holes and partially paved roads inside the lavish tropical landscape while riding in an overpopulated jalopy of a van, to this little “city on a hill” orphanage. The shock of hitting the ground running  upon arrival- feeding and holding babies, changing diapers, reading devotions & praying with girls, and acting as a human jungle gym, not to mention a giant community Kleenex for many noses. Needless to say the familiar taste and inviting smell of coffee was very welcoming as I tightly held the mug and sat quietly anticipating how the day would unfold.  I did not know what to expect from this mission trip. I went with only an open mind to go and step into whatever God had waiting for me.  What was waiting was more than I could have ever dreamed, hoped, or imagined. 

Quietly, without a word or even eye contact little Zoe knelt down in front of me that sunny morning and began gently wiping my feet with a damp white cloth. The room came to a hush as the chaos echoed distantly while I sat in the rocking chair with the most humbling and indescribable feeling in my soul.  I came to serve. I came to be the beautiful feet to bring the good news up this mountain to the little ones, and here she was, this precious orphan child tenderly wiping my feet.  What seemed like forever was probably under a minute while she continued washing my feet very diligently with her little white cloth as tears rolled down my cheeks.  Zoe did not know me.  Zoe did not know that I was going to this place to get out of myself and the brokenness of my own life as a step of healing.  Zoe didn't know that I too had been in a season of feeling lifeless, limbs open, and numb to the devastation of a personal blow to my heart. Zoe did not know that the grieving of my soul had left me spiritually hoarse; worn out and exhausted from my crying attempts of rescue. No Zoe did not know but rescue came so specifically in that time because you see Zoe and I have one strong thing in common- we have the same Father and he knew.  I came to serve in this place and here I was being served humbly and graciously by this little princess of the Most High God.  In those moments my white skin and her black skin faded.  In those moments my comfortable wealthy western culture lifestyle and her poverty melted.  Yes there in those moments the ground at the foot of the cross was level.  No greater no less.  We were both the least of these.  Those moments changed me eternally forever.

Soon Zoe rose from her serving position, she did not look at me only jumped up and pranced away and jumped into the chaos and excitement of the morning with all the other children and merrily went off to school.  I really had to get alone with God to even be able to process the events of those moments.  And as I did God spoke this truth to my heart, “You are no different than my beloved Zoe, you are the same and your meager attempts to serve and love me are just as pleasurable and pleasing to me as little Zoe, who I am so fond of, washing your feet, all beautiful in my sight.” 

The next morning I had a divine appointment to play with and love on Zoe.  We never spoke of that intimate eternal moment when she sat at my feet but we giggled,  cuddled, and swung without care on the swing set.

Did you know that Zoe means life?  

Thank you Zoe for being like Jesus and bringing life to my soul.  You are such a precious little princess, I will forever hold a serious affection for how beautiful, like Jesus, you are!

Is God calling you out?

Out of your normal?

Out of your predictable?

Out of your comfortable?

Is God asking you to do something crazy with his love?

Are you in need of overcoming! -I encourage and challenge to find healing in loving and serving others!

He is calling you!  Serve - Go...Go!

Today where you are, you will be forever changed and you will realize the walls fall down as the Savior's love convinces us through serving by the power of his Holy Spirit that we are all the least of these.....