Footwork is very important in most sports–football, basketball, soccer, track, tennis, etc.  Since I have been involved for many years coaching tennis, I know how crucial it is to be able to move your feet with small quick steps to get in “ready position” in order to make a good stroke or volley.  I have neuropathy in my feet as a result of back issues and pinched nerves in the past and the symptoms have worsened to where I can’t move quickly to get to a ball so realize why we do footwork drills with our players. 

     “Footwork” is also an essential part of our Christian life. There are 256 references in Scripture to our feet and 212 to our walk.  The Bible frequently uses “feet” and “walk” as metaphors for one’s choices and actions, emphasizing the importance of following God’s Word and guidance. “Feet” represent the practical daily application of God’s Word while “walk” signifies one’s overall conduct and path in life. The Bible encourages believers to walk in righteousness, following God’s Word as a light and guide. 

     First, we need to get our feet on solid ground, not shifting sand. The Psalmist wrote: “He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay; and He set my feet upon a rock  making my footsteps firm” (Psa. 40:2).  We need to build our lives on the “solid rock,” the Lord Jesus Christ (Mt. 7:24-27; 16:18; I Cor. 3:11; 10:4).  David also said, “For Thou hast delivered my soul from death, indeed my feet from stumbling, so that I may walk before God…” (Psa. 56:13). 

     Then, having built our life on Jesus Christ, the Rock, we are to walk in His ways, according to His Word, not in the path of the wicked or the ways of the world. Solomon’s wise advice is: “My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent…do not walk in the way with them. Keep your feet from their path…Watch the path of your feet, and all your ways will be established. Do not turn to the right nor the left; turn your foot from evil” (Pr. 1:10,15; 4:26,27). In the “wisdom Psalm” (Psa. 119), we read: “I have restrained my feet from every evil way, that I may keep Your word…Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path…Establish my footsteps in Your word, and do not let any iniquity have dominion over me” (vv. 101,105,133). 

     As those who have been “born again” (Jn. 3:3), and become children of God (Jn. 1:12; I Jn. 3:1,2), we are to now “walk in newness of life” (Ro. 6:4). “For you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light” (Eph. 5:8). “Walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called” (Eph. 4:1).  We are to “walk by faith” (II Cor. 5:7).  Paul said, “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him” (Col. 2:6). We are to “walk by the Spirit” so that we don’t “carry out the desire of the flesh (the old nature)” (Gal. 5:16). “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil” (Eph. 5:15,16). 

     Use your “feet” and your “walk” to spread the Good News and to help build up the Kingdom of God. “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring glad tidings of good things!”  (Ro. 10:15 cf Isa. 52:7). “The greatest form of praise is the sound of consecrated feet seeking out the lost and helpless” (Billy Graham). 

     So, how’s your “foot work”?

Forever His, 

Pastor Dave N