Newsjournal of the Baptist State Convention of Michigan | September 2023 | Volume 67, Number 9
SPIRITUAL PEDICURES
Tony Lynn - State Director of Missions
My honeymoon
During my honeymoon in the summer of 1977, Jamie and I walked in flip flops. It was the first time my new bride got a good look at my bare feet. She frequently teased me, “Let go of the carpet,” or she would smile and ask, “Why are you clenching the floor with your toes?” She was right. My toes have a naturally scrunched position. I will even confess that I have what our family calls, “Shy baby toes.” You know what I’m talking about. They curl and hide behind the other toes. So you can imagine what I am thinking about when I read certain Bible passages.
Wiggle your toes
Wiggle your toes, inside your shoes, as you continue to read. Better yet, take your shoes off and look at your feet for a moment then read this text. Romans 10:13-15 (NLT) says, “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, ‘How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!’”
"How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!"
"Will you join me for a spiritual pedicure?
New Year Pedicure
As 2016 begins many of us will set new goals. I think it would be nice if each one of us set an appointment for a spiritual pedicure. Let’s apply Romans 10:15 by saying, “Lord, I am going to make my feet more beautiful (poetically speaking) in 2016 because I am going to bring good news to those in Michigan, North America, and the world?”
Will you join me for a spiritual pedicure? During 2016, let’s share our faith, teach a Bible class, host a small group, volunteer in the community, start a new church, participate in a mission trip, remodel a basement in the Warren area, or make a significant sacrifice in 2016.
Call to Bare Feet
Pastors and Bible study leaders, would you challenge your people in a memorable way? Consider leading them in a study of Romans 10:13-15 during a sermon or lesson. Then invite the members to remove their shoes while making their commitment for “beautiful feet” in 2016. It will leave a lasting impression.
My Commitment
Next year’s annual meeting of the Baptist State Convention of Michigan is scheduled for November 4-5, 2016 at Eastgate Baptist Church in Burton, Michigan. At that meeting, when I give my report, I will do it without shoes or socks. Not because my feet are physically beautiful; but rather, I will do so to represent the tens of thousands of Michigan Southern Baptists who will have made a commitment in 2016 to share the good news of Jesus Christ with an entire world. The best is yet to come.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tony Lynn is the State Director of Missions for the Baptist State Convention of Michigan. Before coming on staff at the BSCM, Tony served as lead pastor for more than six years at Crosspoint Church in Monroe, Michigan. He and his wife, Jamie, also served with the International Mission Board in Africa and in Europe.