John 13:1-17.

As the waves slowly roll over the sand, the sun shines through the clouds, and the beauty of nature is clear to all who choose to notice it. Many people on the beach were jumping around and splashing in the waters, resting in the stillness of its peace. The majority of the locals sat farther away from the waves, while most of the tourists ran into the ocean with excitement.

In the midafternoon, there were people near the water’s edge. A young woman got the unexplainable urge to walk along the sand with her Heavenly Father, and those events exactly transpired. Grabbing a set of headphones, she elegantly stumbled into the presence of the King. He giggled at her clumsy nature, and there was an unspoken joy in the imperfection of their initial interaction. He was already well aware of her pure desire to be in His presence, which usually comes at the cost of what is considered comfortably contained beauty.
From the sound of the waves crashing to the vocalized excitement of those surrounding them, the setting was just right for another uniquely beautiful encounter. Despite the commotion nearby this walk along the shore, it was as if they were the only ones present at that particular moment. While the waves began to creep up near their path, she decided they would withdraw up the sand away from the water. Before she moved a step, a strong voice provided the potential to go deeper into their conversation, pulling her closer to His presence.

“Take the first step into the water, my girl, don’t be afraid. Let me wash your feet.”

During a season of silence in His presence, hearing the voice of God was the last thing she expected of this precious walk. In this gift of time with Him, it came as a surprise. For some reason, when He offers to make her clean, it often gets met with hesitation. When she accepted the invitation, there was an approving smile from above. The gesture was a little reminder of the servant’s heart that is our example in Christ. The physical action of stepping into the water was a clear picture of the healing that was happening internally.
The waves rolled over the sand, beginning to brush her feet, and gradually covering them. Then, the peace that often follows obedience fell gently over her. With a fresh perspective given by mercy, a new repentance took place on the shores. As their time together continued, the Lord brought up the many memories of previous strolls throughout the special relationship of the two. He reminded her of the consistent pacing in her old home and the track that got worn into the grass where she recently lived. He slowly illustrated the moments where all of her brokenness met with pure grace and reminded her of the beauty He gives us from the ashes we once claimed as our own.

“When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.” – John 13:12-15

A walk with the Lord is not about the path being steady or perfectly paved. Very rarely is it consistent in the ways we desire it to be. To be fully in His presence comes at a cost of offering what we think we desire, and having Him replace it with what He knows we need. There is rest in knowing His character is dependable, even if His methods are unconventional. What is essential to remember is to keep walking. No matter the circumstances, as long as our gaze is on His glory, the refinement process is worth the temporary discomfort.

Then, we get the privilege to wash the feet of others. Jesus, as our example, illustrated what it means to be a servant to those around us. We are often willing to help each other until we get to the point of making ourselves unclean or inconveniencing ourselves. A walk with the Lord means learning how to step in humility, practically asking what we can do to wash the feet of those around us. While that may not look like getting on your knees and pouring water over the feet of your brother, it’s a beautiful example of putting others before ourselves. Sacrificing our preferences, although it may not be fun, usually has a greater benefit that we simply aren’t aware of until after it’s done.

When the Lord asks us to follow a call, even if it’s simply putting our feet into the ocean, we can trust that He’s got a plan greater than our understanding.
What a blessing it is to submit to the goodness of the Lord, and get to rest in His presence.