How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Romans 10:14-15, NIV)
A week at Sunstream Camp in Ogden, Iowa exposed a great deal about the mission of Youth For Christ. Specifically, it exposed the “beautiful feet” of our staff and volunteers. Both in camp leadership, and in cabin management. It was inspiring. Courageous and relentless feet. Persistent and compassionate feet. Yes, beautiful feet.
Feet with shoes. Primarily sandals and athletic shoes.
In fact, at the outset of camp, I noticed one of the members of our leadership team with a great looking new pair of On Cloud athletic shoes. I would guess that my attention was focused in that direction because both Mary and I had our On Clouds on. They were Christmas gifts we had given to each other. To Mary in 2021… and last year, to me. These are great shoes. Not inexpensive, but comfortable and durable.
As the week progressed, the importance of good shoes emerged. Many activities required “closed toe shoes”, and there were a few campers who didn’t come prepared.
At one point during camp, I observed a young middle school student… one of our scholarship recipients, walking past me on her way to an activity. A second glance at this young lady revealed a beautiful white pair of athletic shoes. On Cloud shoes.
As she disappeared into the crowd with her friends, something clicked with me. Those were the same shoes as the leadership team member that I had observed early in the week. They were not just like those shoes, they WERE the shoes.
In the context of camp, as relationships deepened, a leadership team member, with “beautiful feet” had decided to share her beautiful shoes.
No fanfare. No announcement. No recognition.
Beautiful feet carried to a place of need.
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ (Matthew 25:14,15 ESV)
I was shoeless, and you gave me shoes… and not from Goodwill, but off of your own shelf. Off of your own feet. On Clouds.
Yes indeed… how beautiful. How inspiring. How noteworthy.
Yes, sometimes the most effective way to connect to a young person’s soul is through their feet.
I have so much to learn.
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