Under The Olive Tree

Beautiful Feet

“How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things.” - Paul, formerly Saul the Murderer

All too often we get sidetracked when we speak of religion, or the gospel, or spirituality, or mysticism. More often than not, when we are talking of these we descend into a confrontation of practices, or initiation rites - compulsory hurdles for the adherents or initiates into a group.

These hurdles or requirements often have little, if anything, to do with the reality of the understanding and application of the teachings. In fact, these boundaries and requirements are usually set up for the sole purpose of the control of the members of any particular body or persuasion in much the same way institutions, businesses, team sports, or any other cohesive unit sets standards of participation.

What was Paul talking about then, when he stated that the feet of those that bring glad tidings of good things were beautiful? Did their feet become beautiful as a result of them joining a group who set forth requirements of membership - or by walking around preaching?

Although it is possible that after we begin to walk with the wise, we will become wise - it is not unusual for people to become members or congregants without any perceptive changes in their manners, their aspirations, or their inner selves. The reason for this is that the standards of participation are usually set low enough to encourage new members to join, and only high enough to keep the most undesirable outside the circle.

There is in existence a belief that our overall health and well being can be stimulated by the massage of our feet and hands. Today it is called reflexology. I call it a belief because there is some controversy surrounding it, as there is no clinical or scientific data to support it. However, it has been practiced for millenniums around the world.

If the tenants of reflexology are indeed true - then it follows that those that have “beautiful feet” are representatives of good health and a stable intellect, and are most likely good examples of the “higher” self - the moral and spiritual nature of our being.

Although our use of the word gospel is largely in association with the Christian belief - the general meaning of the word is “the good news” - or something accepted as a truth or guiding principle. In the latter case, someone with “beautiful feet” preaching the “gospel” could describe a variety of persuasions - but always with the same formula - and that is, those with beautiful feet are the obvious representatives of the good news that they, by the very nature of their being - bring with them in their interactions with others.

We all know the old adage - “Don’t judge a man until you have walked a mile in his shoes.” The implications are obvious - unless you can experience that individual’s unique challenges - then you will lack understanding in your judgment of them. Also, it is our feet that carry us forward into the world, and it is our feet that transport us to and from our interactions with those around us.

It follows then - that our feet, and how we enter into the relationships with those around us - determines our influence, our example, and in the end, our legacy.

The word “feet” occurs 256 times in the Bible - and the statements found there paint a vivid picture of this idea, that our feet are the instruments of our influence, and of our success.

These statements range from the dangers of letting our feet carry us in the wrong direction, “For he is cast into a net by his own feet, and he walketh upon a snare.” - Job 18:8; to their being the basis of our every endeavor. “I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.” - Psalm 119:59

But none is more poignant than, “Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.” - The Preacher of Jerusalem

Finally, we are admonished, “And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.” - The Writer of the Book of Hebrews