Deeper Water - Part 3

Another reason that we love water is for its cleansing properties. Who doesn’t love a good shower at just the right time?1? Imagine trying to stay clean without ready access to water. It’s a privilege that we all take for granted.

During the Last Supper, Jesus washed his disciple’s feet. It was very uncomfortable for the disciples to have their master wash their feet but Jesus was teaching them through this process.

John 13:12-14 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.

The real meaning of Jesus’ actions was twofold. First, foot washing symbolized the purification that was about to take place by his sacrifice the next day on the cross. Secondly, washing feet was a slave’s task. Jesus washed the disciples’ feet out of humility, attempting to teach them the principle of servant leadership. Jesus then instructed the disciple’s to “also wash one another’s feet.” This commandment extends to us as well.

Does your “deeper water” involve washing someone else's feet? We are all called to serve using the different collection of gifts that we have been given. Are you using yours? Do you know what they are? A good way to think about them are the 3 D’s - Discover (your gifts), Develop (work on them) and Deploy (put them into practice.)

I have personally found no greater satisfaction in this life than serving others with the gifts that God has given to me. Yet, I believe that in this current phase of my life, there is still more out there for me. I am looking forward to finding out exactly what that might be. I see some things that God is doing and I am anxious to take the plunge into deeper water if that is where I am called.

Opportunities to serve are all around us. They can be seemingly small things to us but can be big blessings to others. We just have to be available and paying attention. Jesus showed us the way.

Matthew 20:28 …just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Stay thirsty,

Big E