Perspective
Beautiful Feet
Around the globe, Luke Society physicians and their staff are bringing hope to people living in or near their own communities. They supply desperately-needed medical care, education and other physical needs, but ultimately they are driven by the call to bring the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ.
Over the years I’ve gotten to know these servants of God quite well. I have traveled with them, I have slept in their homes, and I have eaten at their tables. And because most of our ministries are in tropical climates where sandals are popular footwear, I have also seen the feet of most of our directors. By secular standards they are not beautiful feet! I don’t mean to offend them, but these feet are cracked and scarred, having suffered abuse from walking barefoot on rocky roads and paths for many years.
One of the Luke Society directors in Asia told me about a severe fungal infection she got while trudging through marshy paths on the way to remote villages to share the gospel. After several months of treatment, the infection cleared, but the scars remain. From a physical perspective, her feet would not fit the standards of something to take notice of; much less should they receive the acclamation of what Romans 10 describes.
Yet, from a Christian perspective we know what Paul was describing. He is emphasizing the spiritual beauty of someone dedicating their efforts to having an impact on the spiritual lives of others, which makes any beauty Hollywood has to offer pale in comparison.
In fact, the feet of Luke Society directors probably appear physically very much like those of the Christians Paul is speaking of in Romans. I can imagine early Christians walking barefoot or in sandals from village to village sharing the story of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. I’m certain their feet were scarred, dirty and not physically attractive. But knowing how their feet were used, where they lead and Whom they served makes me join with Scripture to say, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
The verses leading up to verse 15 describe the cooperation and networking God uses among believers in the process of bringing someone to the saving knowledge and faith in Jesus Christ. It starts with the wonderful truth that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” But, “how can they call on the One they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the One of Whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent?”
The chain of events described here requires the body of believers to work together to use their different gifts, talents, personalities and callings. It shows how important each one’s role is, but also what a privilege it is to have the opportunity to participate in the process God uses to bring His children to salvation!
Within the Luke Society, there are thousands of pairs of feet - the directors, the staff in the Sioux Falls office and in the individual ministries, the Luke Society board members, the Partnership Ministry Teams, the medical brigades volunteers, the financial supporters and the prayer supporters. Each one of you either directly or indirectly has played a part in bringing the good news to people across the globe. And from that interesting perspective, I can say to all of you, “you have beautiful feet!”
Dr. Wrede Vogel