so i was walking by the bar at the csc and the barista, a friend of mine, made the comment, “geez lb, are those your footprints all over the floor?” i turned around and noticed that i could, in fact, see a dusty trail of my footprints outlining my path on the hardwood floor.

i am reminded of something nick was telling me about the ministry of jesus. the passage is john 13:1-15…

[It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love. The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, 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, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his 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.]

i’ve heard this passage a countless number of times, but it hasn’t struck me until now. Jesus showed them the fullest extent of His love by serving them. how incredible is our example. Jesus, the son of God, a piece of the trinity, performed the lowest task that could be done in a household (from what i have gathered, footwashing was typically done by the lowest of the servants in a household). as the children of God, who are we not to serve our brothers and sisters? if no task was too low for God Himself to do, we should feel blessed, honored, to follow in His example.

but that’s not how it is. at least, i know that’s not how it is for me. i get frustrated and sometimes even self-righteous when i have to clean up behind people or do things that i know someone else should have done or that i don’t want to do. Lord, help me have a servant’s heart; not out of self-righteous pride, but out of a love for You and only You.