January 31st - Daily Feet Washings

The story...

I've a hard time rubbing, let alone washing, my own feet - I was born inflexible.  If I work at stretching for about six months, my stretchability is similar to what a more normal person might enjoy.  Six months is six times longer than the one month it seems to take for my muscles to return back to their more normal state of inflexibility. 

Like most or all people, I was also born with a selfish sort of nature.  I cooperated with others while I focused on working out a safe and comfortable life that I could be proud of.  Although I was primarily motivated by a need to be loved, I wanted to win in the game of life and associate with people who might help me along the way.  Since most humans seem to have a similar nature, I learned to be more flexible with my interpersonal interactions and relationships.

Strangely, even the Lord Jesus the Christ's disciples exhibited selfishness and pride as they argued about who was best at the last supper before Jesus was crucified (Luke 22:24).  Yes, we're all able to exhibit this selfish sort of nature.  On the same night of the disciples argument, He knelt down and washed each of the twelve's feet.  When it was Peter's turn, he resisted this feet washing by his Lord.  Jesus replies "If I do not wash you, you have no part in Me" (John 13:8).  He goes on to let let Peter know that he's clean yet needs to wash off the "dirt" of daily life to stay "clean" and right in his relationship with God.  Jesus washed Peter's feet knowing, and sharing with Peter too, that Peter would publicly disown Him three times before the rooster crowed.  Yes, Peter would need his feet washed again.

Christ Washing the Disciples' Feet - Tintoretto 1548-1549

The only church in town will preach the need to live a righteous life in Christ.  One that's able to bear fruit in all circumstances.  That means confessing sin, washing the daily dirt off our feet, to restore our close relationship with our Holy Father through Christ.

Just for today...

"With a new and sincere humility, I asked God to remove my shortcomings . . . I want to be ready for shortcomings to be removed, and I will do what I can to prepare. I can develop a non-judgmental awareness of myself, accept what I discover, and be fully willing to change. But I lack the power to heal myself.  Only God can do that."  Courage to Change (p. 31)