Foot by Foot
I recently had a heart-wrenching conversation with Nate Banks, the house manager of the Life House Recovery Center, Impact’s residential addiction recovery program. One of the men who entered the program months ago had relapsed and Nate was hurting for him. One phrase Nate spoke stuck with me: “They have to stay connected.” The more disconnected someone who has graduated from the program becomes from the church, the more difficult it is to stay sober. Though it seems like a devastating moment, that man’s feet are not done walking the road to recovery, and he’ll hopefully reconnect with his church family as we help each other put one foot in front of the other on this road called life.
“They have to stay connected.” This is true not just for addiction recovery, but for everyone. There are thousands of feet that cross Impact’s doors every week. Young, small feet, full of energy, that climb the steps of an old yellow bus seeking love, safety, and companionship. Worn, tired feet that walk miles in wet socks to be reminded that there is hope and to do laundry, take a shower, and fill an empty stomach. Feet moved by hunger and the need to provide food for their families. Feet yearning for Jesus and a community of his followers. Feet from every walk of life.
On the eve of his arrest, Jesus gathered with his disciples in the upper room of a house. A group of feet that, minus one set, would travel dusty paths changing the world one sole at a time.
Jesus entered a room already prepared for the Passover meal. To the bewilderment of those present, he removed his outer garment and wrapped a servant’s towel around his waist. He took a bowl, filled it with water, kneeled before one of his disciples, took his dirty foot, and began to wash it. Foot-by-foot he continued, doing the job reserved for the lowest of servants. The hands that created the universe, the hands that in a day’s time would be pierced by nails, cleaned the feet of his followers and friends. Jesus knew where those feet had been. He knew where those feet would go. Even those of Judas Iscariot. His love and grace were on full display in that profound moment.
“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” These words are our marching orders at Impact. We’re committed to washing the thousands of feet we come across every week.
Have you ever wondered who helped make that profound moment so many years ago happen? Who provided the upper room and the table at which the disciples reclined? Who provided the washing basin and the water poured into it?
There were many who contributed to that profound moment. And today there are many who contribute to Impact’s effort to follow Jesus’ example and provide community for lost feet. We are not alone in our ministry to lonely, wounded, hurting people and we are thankful for and continue to need your support.
From now until the end of the year any amount you give is matched dollar-for-dollar and helps to fund Impact’s ministries in the coming year. All year-end gifts are eligible; to participate send a check with “matching funds” in the memo line, give online by clicking the “Give Now” button below, or call the Impact office.
