Washing Feet??

Jesus: 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. . . . 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.

John 13:4-5, 13-15

Living in Niger - a country of sand, sheep, goats - imagery from the Bible comes to life as we see the images in daily life around us. One such image is the washing of the disciple's feet . . . I walk around every day in sandals. In the dust and sand, sinking in among the business of animals and ashes from fires. My feet are dirty - more so when I am in the village:

Yet . . . as Jesus commanded us to follow His example - What does that mean? Though I have - back home in Canada and here in Africa - washed feet and had my feet washed . . . how does that play out in every day life?

As mentioned in a previous post, I am reading a book called: Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, by Joanna Weaver. She speaks to this example Jesus set for us and poses a question in a unique form that has challenged me. As before, I have the author's permission to blog about this - and her writings are in orange.

Last year, at New Year's, I reflected on 2009 and how I submit to God - as a camel protests submission or as God desires whole hearted obedience. I am not saying I have conquered this in my life, but this year, I want to add on reflecting and following Christ's example of washing feet.

What Jesus did must have shocked the disciples. The Midrash taught that no Hebrew, even a slave, could be commanded to wash feet. . . So when Jesus bent his knee to serve his followers, it was a graphic display of humility. Their Teacher became the lowet of the low. Then he invited - no, commanded - them to do the same.

Joanna quotes J. Oswald Sanders in saying that 'only once did Jesus say he was leaving his disciples an example, and that was when he washed their feet'.

Despite the dirt and sand and dust here in Niger, I do not walk around washing people's feet. Even more so in Canada, we do not walk around washing people's feet.

In what unexpected ways could we wash the feet of those around us?

This is the question I am still ruminating on . . . if I do not walk around washing people's feet - how am I obedient to following Christ's example in my life? How do I humble myself? The Tuareg and Fulani people with whom I and my team in Niger works are very proud people . . what does humility look like in this culture? How do I unexpectedly serve those around me?

These are questions that I am searching for an answer in my heart - I hope to be able to share this journey and thoughts throughout the year.

But - it is also a question I challenge you to search in your heart, for your life . . . What does it mean to wash the feet of those around you - in unexpected ways?

If you have ideas - post them in the comments and perhaps we can all help each other in our discussion of how to follow Jesus' example of washing feet.