Last Thursday, I heard the reading about Jesus washing the Apostles’ feet. I’ve heard it many times before, but yesterday I thought about it from a brand new perspective. That of small acts for huge impact!
Notice how when Peter protested about the washing for the feet, Jesus said:
“Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.”
That’s all it took for Peter to change his mind!
Why did Jesus draw such a harsh ultimatum? An offer nobody could refuse? I believe it’s because unless we serve others, our mind will start rationalizing and eventually selfishness will take over.
For example, I remember many times when I ignored a person with a need because I thought I had more critical “missions” to execute.
It doesn’t stop there. Peter by doing what’s logical tries to double down on what’s good by saying:
“Master, then not only my feet but my hands and head as well.”
Jesus said to him,
“Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed, for he is clean all over;
I believe Jesus said that because there is a fine line between serving and enabling. In other words, Jesus’ job is not to do everything for us. It’s to provide the final steps we can’t do on our own. In spite of our best efforts.
We have to pay attention because Jesus concludes by saying:
“I have given you a model to follow so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”
How does that look in practice? The best analogy I can think of is teaching people how to fish, instead of giving them the fish. It’s so tempting for all of us to become a fisherman of choice. To be someone, everyone can’t live without. Yet true virtue comes in the ability to inspire goodness. Not necessarily the grandiose, but in the small acts of service like washing the feet, that when multiplied create a tremendous wave of example that no one can ignore.
How do you serve? What would smaller acts of service look like in your life?
Don’t know how to get started? As a man, you are very good at solving problems with your mind. However, when your romantic relationships suffer, or you don’t feel fulfilled at work, it means that your locked up heart is weighing you down.
You can’t solve emotional problems by logic alone!
Please visit www.cs1mindset.com/services for a complimentary 30 minute “mobilize the heart” consultation.
After our talk, you will understand how leveraging love as a skill will get you the breakthrough results you’re looking for.
