Dear Friends,
Is there any more poignant picture of service than washing someone else’s feet? Each year at our Easter banquet, we offer foot washing. Volunteers come, and, in humility, get on their knees and wash the feet of those we serve.
Prior to His death and resurrection, Jesus did something that boggles my mind: He took a towel and a basin of water, and He got on His knees, and He washed the feet of every disciple. The ones who loved Him and the one who would betray Him. Scripture says, “The son of man didn’t come to be served but to serve.”
Just like the disciples, the feet of the guests we serve are not always clean. But through this small act of service, we get to wash their feet, have them checked by doctors volunteering their time, offer them brand new socks, and I hope and pray we all leave changed.
In the book of 1 John, the author writes:
“God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus.
That is why we wash feet.
…For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.”
This is why we do what we do.
We are called to love anyone who comes to us for help, because we love God. I cannot imagine where I would be if not for the good news of redemption and renewal offered through Jesus. God is still in the business of renewal and redemption—like in Justin’s story, which you will read in this newsletter.
Thank you for making our work possible. May you know the power of the resurrection and experience the love of God through Jesus in a new way this year. He is risen!
Grace and Peace,
Dennis Van Kampen
President/CEO
This post is part of March’s Changing Lives Newsletter. This month, we’re sharing Justin’s story through grief, addiction and homelessness to living with a purpose in: Hope Reborn.
