Not you. Not for me.
Last night was an extraordinary night. After most of the offices had emptied, a group of Youth for Christ staff and board members from around the world gathered in a conference room for dinner. The individual conversations that took place around two large tables were replaced by a polite silence as I was asked to share about the ministry of YFC in the United States. I did so with thanksgiving and celebration.
At the conclusion of this monologue, and after a few minutes of questions, we prayed together. The final prayer of the evening was offered for me and for the ministry in the U.S. The configuration of the room changed as individuals gathered around me to pray. It was in that context that he began to pray. He?s a colleague, a friend, and a Christian brother. I won?t use his name, because to do so would put him at risk in his home country. He lives with the constant threat of personal harm to himself and his family, just because he offers hope and spiritual reconciliation against the political flow. He’s a follower of Jesus the Christ. He’s a hero.
But last night, at the conclusion of the day, this man, this wonderful Godly man, knelt beside my chair, placed his hand on mine, and he prayed. He prayed for my safety, my leadership, my struggles? and yes, my sacrifice. My sacrifice?
He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me. ~ John 13: 6-8
Last night, in the middle of a prayer, I understood Peter’s dilemma. “Never! You, washing my feet? You, kneeling and praying for me?”
A man of courage, a man of humility, a man of grace, a man of deep passion and commitment to God prayed for me. He took my hand. He knelt by my chair.
Not you. Not for me.
My prayer.
“Thank you Jesus for loving us this way. For loving us so well. For your model of humility. I witnessed your love in action last night, and it has changed me. Thanks for washing my feet. Thanks for my dear brother in Christ. Amen.”
Yes him. Yes, for you.
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