Transformed by the Word: Beautiful feet

by Lyn Wake | Wycliffe Today Spring 2025|

And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, ‘How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!’ – Romans 10:15 (NLT)

I must admit being drawn to images of good looking feet at the nail salon – complete with pedicured and polished toenails. But in real life, I’ve encountered some very unattractive feet, my own included. 

When I first arrived in the mountains of Papua New Guinea to serve with Wycliffe, I would scrub my muddied feet each evening … to no avail. Eventually, I grew accustomed to the look of blackened heels and toenails. In fact, mud-stained feet were almost a badge of honour, as each of my family members and colleagues all faced the same dilemma. 

Thankfully, as the words of the Apostle Paul and the Prophet Isaiah before him remind us,  God sees beyond our muddied feet to gaze upon the posture of our hearts. Isaiah prophesied about the coming of the ‘Suffering Servant’ who would bring salvation and restoration for God’s people. We see that prophecy fulfilled in Jesus Christ. He came not as a mighty warrior or well-dressed king but as a poor and humble servant who stood in our place as a payment for our sins. His feet were disfigured, bloodied, and nail-scarred for our healing. This is the story of God’s great love for us – a story that needs to be shared. 

Here at Wycliffe Australia, we are privileged to join with hundreds of other imperfect people who have made themselves – and their ‘beautiful gospel feet’ – available to God, blisters, callouses, warts and all! How beautiful are the feet of Jesus, and beautiful in his sight are the feet of those willing to follow his footsteps! These are the feet proclaiming the good news that every beloved person, in every language, desperately needs and ultimately longs for. 

For reflection: Have a good, honest look at your feet as you think about the posture of your heart. Do you have the ‘beautiful feet’ the Lord is searching the earth for? 

Be transformed by the Word as you engage with: Isaiah 52 and Romans 10.
Prayer: Jesus, I want feet like yours … beautiful feet that bring the message of your salvation and peaceful reign wherever you send me to walk out my one life. Amen.