Willing

"Greatest in the Kingdom" by J. Kirk Richards

Last year, I was one of the privileged 12 to have my feet washed during our church’s Maundy Thursday service. In a simultaneously awkward and beautiful gesture, our elderly bishop painstakingly knelt down on the hard wooden step below me to wash and dry my foot. I felt cared for and humbled, tangibly experiencing God’s sacrificial love through this simple gesture.

This year, I told the bishop how meaningful that act was, and he turned the tables by thanking me. “Not many people are willing to do that,” he said.  

It’s true, there are so many ways we are each, in our own way, unwilling to receive the love that is offered to us. Being cared for is uncomfortable and vulnerable, like getting your foot washed in public by a guy you don’t know very well – it involves risk and can feel embarrassing.

Where do you notice the impulse in yourself to turn away when love is offered? Maybe it’s a perfectionistic critique of the care shown to you by another, a busy schedule that never lets you tend to your own needs, or an avoidance of emotional connection with those around you. It’s always easier to push love away, finding an excuse to avoid the risk of baring our dirty foot and receiving the care for which our souls long.

Jesus kneels in front of us on the hard floor, ready to wash our feet – and our souls – in an act of sacrificial love. Let’s practice willingness, slowing down long enough to receive the care that he offers.
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Looking for a practice to help you slow down, get vulnerable, and receive care? Try a mindful sitting practice – you’ll find out pretty quickly where the “pain points” are in your mind and body, and Jesus will be right there with you, ready to serve.

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Mindfulness-based counseling for adults, teens, and couples is available through my private practice, Dwell Psychological Services, for clients in Grand Rapids, MI (in-person), and throughout all 42 PsyPact states (virtually). Non-clinical mindfulness coaching is available anywhere in the world for individuals or groups seeking to strengthen their understanding of mindfulness theory and practice. More information can be found at www.DwellPsychological.com or www.bit.ly/IreneKraegel. Let me know how I can support you on your journey!