A Spiritual Pedicure

Edited to say: I extended this post and presented it as a breakout session at my church's Women's Retreat.

"How Lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who announces peace and brings good news of happiness, who announces salvation, and says to Zion, 'Your God reigns!'"

Isaiah 52:7

Yesterday, we spent the day at Dollywood. Yes, that's right, the whole day, from about ten in the morning to six at night. By the time we got home, my feet had seen better days. "Lovely" was not the word I thought of when I freed them from sweaty socks and overheated tennis shoes. A
spa pedicure would have been welcome! That's why this word stood out when I was catching up on my Bible reading last night.

When this verse was first written, the good news and salvation referred to the Israelite's return to Jerusalem from Babylonian captivity. Paul, however, alludes to these verses in the context of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ:

"How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!'"

Romans 10:14-15

Of course, these verses echo Jesus's Great Commission (Mark 16:15), but I wasn't sure why the feet of those who spread the gospel are considered lovely. Why not the mouths of those who spread the gospel? After all, the mouth utters the words of our testimonies.

As I re-read the verses in Romans, I began to see the importance of the word sent. Yes, our words are important, but without God's intended audience, our words are just emptiness on the air. Those who need to hear the Word won't come flocking to us; we must go to them. Our feet take us there.

This week we have been blessed to spend time with Joel's extended family in Tennessee to celebrate his parents' fiftieth anniversary. We haven't seen many of these family members in a while. One of his sisters lives in Oregon. Another, along with her husband and three children, serve as missionaries abroad. About nine years ago, they pulled up roots and left their comfort zone to spread the gospel to those who had not heard and had not had the opportunity to believe.

I think that their feet were far lovelier than mine last night, pedicure or no pedicure.

So, what verses have spoken to you this week? Post those verses on your own blog, along with how you see that God wants you to apply them in your life. Then, provide your link below so that we can drink from one another's wells of scripture.