Shining the Savior's Shoes

I was in the room when someone recently asked what it means when it says “the earth is [God’s] footstool.” Immediately upon this question’s entrance into my ears, I visualized the first throne-and-footstool type object I could think of that wasn’t a throne and footstool: an old-fashioned shoe shining chair.

Would you be so kind as to humor me for a sec? Close your eyes and picture a shoe shining chair. It’s kind of cool-looking, isn’t it? The seat is slightly elevated, and there’s a footstooley peg for each of the shine receiver’s feet to rest. Now picture a man who looks like he’s dressed for quite an occasion, and his last errand to make along his way is a shoe-shining stop. Picture yourself as the shoe shiner. The man comes to you and asks if you would be so kind as to shine his shoes for him. He asks politely, with a kindly twinkle in his eye. Some little birdie quietly tells you that this man is someone pretty special, and that today is your lucky day, because you’re the one who gets to help him out.

You invite the man to sit down, and you commence your work on his shoes. You make sure you do the most impeccable job you can, because there’s just something about him… something in his eyes and his persona… that just makes you feel like he deserves your very best.

You finish up, and he graciously offers payment, though you kind of feel like you don’t really care to take his money; the remarkable feeling you got when he smiled, shook your hand, and told you “thanks” was rewarding enough.

Think of this well-dressed man as the Beloved Son of God, Jesus Christ, and keep thinking of yourself as His shoe shiner. He's there in heaven, on His throne. But He's also there on His footstool, where you're at. He's where you're at. You're with Him and He's with you.

He, as the well-dressed man in your imagination, provided you with the opportunity to serve him, to shine his shoes. He, as the Savior Jesus Christ, also provides you with the opportunity to serve Him. You are provided with the amazing opportunity to help prepare this earth to receive Him as the King of kings and Lord of lords.

As the imaginary well-dressed man, he somehow made you feel like you had value, and he appreciated you sincerely. As He is in reality, when you offer Him your best devotions and efforts, He somehow is able to help you catch a glimpse of your infinite worth, and you can feel His love and support as you continue to courageously help Him build the Kingdom.