I gave our children a foot massage the other day and it happened so randomly. As I put lotion on my feet after a shower, I thought it would be a good idea to do a mini foot spa treatment for the children too.
After their bath, I asked them to sit across my lap. Then I massaged their feet with citronella infused shea butter that my cousin had sent me all the way from Uganda. (Which I later discovered has a host of amazing benefits like helping to reduce fever, removing toxins and reducing stress levels)
They laughed and giggled uncontrollably as I gently rubbed the soles of their feet with my fist and tugged at their little adorable toes with my fingers. I noticed how soft and tiny their feet were and I was moved to pray over them. I felt a surge of love and protectiveness rush over me so I brought my children to the safest place I know. To the feet of Jesus.
Credit: iStock | Ananaline
This is what I prayed over their feet individually: Your feet are blessed in the Name of Jesus. Your feet shall not run to do evil but will walk in the path of righteousness all the days of your life. No harm or evil shall befall you and you are protected from the top of your head to the bottom of your feet. In the Name of Jesus I pray, amen.
The whole process took less than 5 minutes. There was no intense pre-planning leading up to it. It was just a simple, spur-of-the-moment leading and yet so powerful. I could tell that the children felt its profound nature too, because the giggles stopped and their posture changed to calmness as they humbled themselves when I began to pray.
This lovely experience reminded me of Jesus washing his disciples’ feet. Did He feel that surge of love and care and protectiveness that I felt?
The Bible says that Jesus did this as an example to the disciples. So that they too may wash one another’s feet.
John.13:12-17 TPT:
After washing their feet, He put His robe on and returned to His place at the table. “Do you understand what I just did?” Jesus said. “You’ve called me your Teacher and Lord, and you’re right, for that’s who I am. So, if I’m your Teacher and Lord and have just washed your dirty feet, then you should follow the example that I’ve set for you and wash one another’s dirty feet. Now do for each other what I have just done for you. I speak to you a timeless truth: a servant is not superior to his master, and an apostle is never greater than the one who sent him. So now put into practice what I have done for you, and you will experience a life of happiness enriched with untold blessings!”
The most interesting part for me is how Jesus ended His lesson. He says once we wash our neighbor’s feet, it is us who would reap a life of happiness enriched with untold blessing. And this stands true to Jesus’ teaching where He says it is more blessed to give than to receive.
Jesus, a teacher, humbled himself to do the work of a servant. And He calls me to do the same.
To serve others from a place of humility, not considering myself better than others.
To rid my heart of all pretense and pride in service, but to practice humility in my heart, which then finds outward expression through my actions towards others.
To love my neighbor and serve my neighbor. A service rooted in love is such a beautiful service. Just like Jesus washing His disciples’ feet.
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