And You, Sweet Lexi, Are Clean!!

Welcome back! I realize it has been some time since I have posted, not for lack of things to say, but because life has not given me a minute to relax and write! However busy I have been, I cannot let this go another day without sharing. My best friend in life, Bec is in town for a week. The other day, after working up a sweat to Jillian Michaels we departed to our respective rooms to clean ourselves up. It was then I heard the clear-as-day voice of God, "Commit yourself to a life of service, wash Rebecca's feet." I was so excited about the idea, I immediately shared it with Bec. She was more than on board and we planned for a night of fellowship after the kids went to bed. It probably does not take much for you to visualize the act of foot washing. A servant, bent over a basin of water caring for another's feet...a part of the body most people don't want to smell, touch, or even see. I will tell you, I was immediately ushered into prayer and worship as I took in the moment. One of my comments immediately after we were done was, "It was as if my entire body was cleansed of impurities, and healing of my spirit was ushered in. Little did I know, that was exactly what the Lord wanted to get across to me, it is written verbatim in His word. If you have not served someone in this way, I suggest it. Why? Let me share a story from my favorite book:

It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”

Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”

Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

John 13:1-17 (emphasis mine)

So why did we do this? The quick answer: Jesus tells us to. The long answer: If we are not willing to serve others, we can never have a heart like Jesus. Jesus says, "For I have not come to be served, but to serve." If Jesus could humble himself and submit to those who served him, how much more should we humble ourselves and serve His children in His name? I pray that you would be blessed knowing the heart of Jesus is to serve you. As if the cross was not enough, He wants to serve you, and cleanse you...not just your feet, but your entire spirit and body. Praise God!