Beautiful Feet

Many people I know are not impressed with the beauty of their own feet. Wearing ill fitting shoes in the past, in order to fit in with fashions, have often had a terrible effect, leaving their feet mis-shaped and very hard to live with. All this makes walking difficult and painful. Not very beautiful!

But the Bible has an evocative description of people who have beautiful feet, and that without having bothered with expensive pedicures!

'How beautiful on the mountains
    are the feet of the messenger who brings good news,
the good news of peace and salvation,
    the news that the God of Israel reigns!' (Isaiah 52.7)

What makes these feet beautiful is not some inherent natural beauty - well shaped and elegant, with proportions right and toes that seem the right length - but what these feet allow the owner to do and say. In those days, all news had to be brought by human agents - with or without the help of animals like horses or camels. All news was brought be people who traveled, possibly long distances, in order to bring the message.

These days, we can use so many different platforms for our messages - from computers, phones, tablets, letters and even human contact. 

Most of our modern ways are very fast - whereas the ancient messengers had to invest lots of time to get their message across.

I am challenged to think of the ways in which I might use any and all of these to bring the good news of peace and salvation.

But I am also challenged to think of the content of the Good News which I am commissioned to share. 'Peace and salvation' isn't on everyone's wish list! Most people I know seem too busy chasing one thing or another - even the retired ones - to find genuine peace. There doesn't seem to be a quick fix for any of this. 

So it may be that the lesson from the text is that we have to walk slowly up mountains and across difficult paths, like messengers of old, to tell the stories of God's good activity in the lives of people like us.  

Best wishes,

Richard