So Mark asked me to write a devotion-type thing about missions for Dnow this weekend. Unfortunately I have been really busy this week and am just now getting to writing. So i was scrounging for ideas, and this is one of them. I wish I had more time to fix it, because I really like the motif, but I don’t think I quite put it on paper how I had it in my mind..but here’s the idea:

                On every mission trip I’ve ever  been on, I’ve noticed that the first part of me that gets dirty and tired is my feet and the feet of those with me.

                Your feet are a vital part of your body because they take you whereve you go. Their journey over your lifetime is a long one and they are going to encounter many obstacles along the way.

                They are going to get dirty if you go to the dirty places. God calls us to go to the dirty corners of this earth. Sometimes he calls us to go to lands without much food, water, or shelter. People around the world live like this every day and sometimes God’s call is to go join them and get dirty in the process.

                Sometimes the going gets tough and our feet get scarred or maybe even broken. Bad things happen. We step on a nail. Our friends leave us. Someone close to us dies. Life is painful in these moments, but we must not give up. We must press forward and stay standing.

Philippians 3:14 – “I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”

                No matter what, our feet get weary at the end of the day. We get weighed down by life and all it contains. Lucky for us, God claims His burden is light, but we must make sure we are not carrying around extra junk which wears us out and slows us down. Lay that baggage down at Jesus’ feet. Ask for forgiveness for that mistake and then let it go. Give up your worries to God and let Him take care of them. Knock out those negative thoughts and learn to see through God’s eyes.

Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore, since we have been surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us”

                It is okay to let your feet rest every now and then, but don’t let them get lazy. And most importantly, don’t let them wander off of the path set before them by God. “Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong” Hebrew 5:12-13.

                It is okay to pamper your feet on occasion as well. Go get that pedicure. But do not get so concerned about them that you hesitate to go. Treat yourself to something nice, but don’t get selfish and blind yourself to the great need that exists in this world.

                You have feet that are able to go. Are you willing to make them move? Will you take that first step now? They will certainly get battered along the way, but isn’t it worth it in the end? Beauty is in the eye of the Beholder and the Beholder says “How beautiful are the feet of the messengers who bring good news!” –Isaiah 59:7.

                There are people waiting all around this world, some in Africa, some at the table across from you at lunch, just waiting to be told of the Good News of Salvation. Are you willing to step up and bring it to them? Will you choose to go? Or will you choose to walk away?

“Now get to your feet! For I have appeared to you to appoint you as my servant and witness. You are to tell the world what you have seen and what I will show you in the future.” –Acts 26:16

Father, give me the strength to stand up and the willingness to go where you will have me go. Send me to the dirty corners of the Earth where few care to reach out to. Carry me through the painful moments of this life and use those times to make me stronger. Take away my unnecessary burdens I carry with me and let me be free from the bondage of sin, fear, doubt, and worry. Strengthen me now to go and run with perseverance the race you have set before me . All for you glory.

                                                                                                                                Amen.