Beautiful Feet
“You have beautiful feet” I heard the Father say in a moment while soaking in his presence.
“Beautiful feet?” I thought. “That’s the best you’ve got for me right now?” I guess I was expecting something more profound. It took me a moment to realize he wasn’t talking about my natural feet.
“Yes, beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news. And Steph, I have given you beautiful feet”.
Tears flowed softly down the side of my cheek because for years I resisted the “call to ministry”. I saw missions as a fast track to burn out, poverty and lack. And as a result I vowed to never be a missionary, never live off raising support and for God’s sake, never marry a pastor.
But then something happened.
I still can’t quite explain it but the Father began to fill my heart with his Love. The Love he promises in Romans 5:5. His tangible, perfect and healing Love. Like a warm yet refreshing liquid, it melted the vows and before I knew it I was stepping into the very things I said I would never do.
I said yes to squad leading for the World Race, which meant another six months of living out of a backpack, being grateful for white rice and instant coffee, and stepping into the discomforts of living by faith day by day. And wouldn’t you know, in the midst of all of that, I fell in love and got engaged to a man who is beyond what I could have ever imagined but a pastor none the less.
The crazy thing is, for the first time in my life I truly believe that I have good news to bring and right now these beautiful feet are walking the dusty roads of Asia.
My first month in Indonesia I became good friends with a local woman who also has beautiful feet, bringing good news to the unreached people of her own country. A woman of Peace, she hosted our team with Kingdom-like generosity that blew me away. Within days she went from sleeping in her office to sleeping next to me on the floor of the classroom. She joined in on our team worship times and easily became one of us.
One night while the rest of the team was cooking dinner, her and I sat on the floor of the classroom where I began to thank her for who she is and tell her how I see God working in her life.
“God loves you so much,” I said. “I see His hand on your head as you walk in His favour in this place. He really does have incredible plans for your life“. (I wish I could share in more detail why I saw those things in her but the nature of her work must remain covert). In that moment she opened her heart to me.
“Thank you” she said. “But I have big mistake in my life“.
The language barrier was such that I knew we wouldn’t be able to talk at the depth she needed to so I asked if she wanted to hear what God had to say about her big mistake. She agreed with open hands and I asked God to lead her to Himself, that she would be able sense the peace of His presence and the depths of His Love.
I felt led to grab my guitar and for the next two hours prophetic song after prophetic song flowed from His heart to hers and the presence of God fell thick in the room.
He is a good good Father. She heard the tender whisper of his approval and delight toward her. With one hand on her heart and the other raised in the air she softly cried as she let God fill her heart with His Love. “Oh wow…. Oh wow” she would exclaim softly, followed by a glowing smile. I cherish the memory of watching His love and healing overwhelm her, she could hardly speak.
As the Holy Spirit sealed her with His Joy, she finally blurted out in laughter “Oh! I cannot get up, I have no strong to my legs!“. We both laughed at her continued failed attempts and laid side by side on the cold hard floor until she finally cried out “OK, Ok! I can take no more, Lord“. I don’t know that I have ever been part of a prayer meeting where we needed to ask God to stop filling us up because His presence was so overwhelming. It was incredible.
It was in that moment that God redefined missions for me. It’s not about burn out, poverty or lack. His ministry is full, rich and overflowing. Good News can’t possibly be about obligation or burn out. There is an ease when we walk by the Spirit.
And how amazing is it that the Holy Spirit would act as my translator that night. He led her through the exact ministry she needed to equip her for the work He has called her to. She needed to know His Love that night and He was faithful to reveal Himself to her. I simply walked the dusty road and brought the beautiful Peace of what He has already done.
I invite you to pray for this amazing woman of influence. She is a light in her community, destined to usher others into Truth and Life.
Our squad is now in Thailand and this month I’ll be on the Thailand/Burma border with team Watchman. Pray for us as we partner with a pioneering ministry that uses creativity as a way to access hearts and bring healing to the nations. We have great anticipation for the Beauty God will lead us to walk in.
Much love,
Steph
