Beautiful Feet?
Let’s be honest: human feet aren’t exactly the most glamorous part of the body. Artists seldom make feet the focal point of a portrait. Even in the world of fashion, we cover them up, paint them, or tuck them away in shoes as quickly as we can. They’re bony, wrinkled, calloused, and often bear the scars of years of wear and tear. They smell. They sweat. They stub into furniture in the dark and we yelp in protest.
Yet, in Scripture, God declares a surprising truth:
“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!”
— Romans 10:15 (cf. Isaiah 52:7, NKJV)
Wait. Beautiful feet? Is God talking about the same human feet we try to hide in socks?
Yes—and no.
God isn’t describing a podiatric miracle. The beauty here is not physical; it’s spiritual. It’s the kind of beauty that transcends pedicures and arch support. It’s the beauty of purpose, the beauty of movement, the beauty of sacrifice.
What Makes the Evangelist’s Feet Beautiful?
It’s not the shape of the toes or the smoothness of the heel. It’s the direction those feet are pointed. The feet of an evangelist are beautiful because they carry the most important message humanity can hear: the gospel of Jesus Christ.
These feet go. That’s what feet do. They carry us into action. And the evangelist doesn’t wait around for comfort or applause. He walks dusty roads—both literal and figurative—to bring peace where there’s turmoil, truth where there’s error, and hope where there’s despair. Beautiful feet are feet in motion.
They may be blistered, sore, or sandaled, but they are busy. They enter homes humbly, they climb hills to reach remote hearts, and they linger patiently in conversation. They bring the gospel—not like a package on a doorstep, but like bread to the hungry, like water to the thirsty, like light to the blind.
This is why Isaiah exclaimed:
“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation…”
— Isaiah 52:7 (NKJV)
Humor in Humanity, Glory in the Gospel
It’s not irreverent to smile at the irony: of all things, feet are called beautiful. The same feet that might be flat, funky, or funny-looking. Scripture seems to say, “Yes, even those!”
There’s something encouraging here. God doesn’t exalt us for being pretty, polished, or perfect. He honors the ordinary when it’s used for His glory. Just as He used fishermen to be apostles and a manger to cradle the King of Kings, He calls the worn, tired feet of the evangelist “beautiful” because of what they represent: obedience and love in action.
From the Feet Up
The Bible often uses feet symbolically. Feet can signify direction, readiness, and humility.
- Paul speaks of the armor of God, describing the readiness of the gospel of peace as footwear (Ephesians 6:15).
- Jesus washed the feet of His disciples (John 13), showing us that the messenger must also be a servant.
- Mary sat at Jesus’ feet (Luke 10:39), a posture of devotion and discipleship.
But the evangelist’s feet stand apart because they go. They don’t rest long. They don’t shy away from dirty roads. They climb stairs to knock on doors. They step into airports, jail cells, living rooms, and pulpits—not to impress, but to proclaim.
It’s not glamorous work. Often, it’s thankless, awkward, or even rejected. But those feet keep moving. They are driven by the joy of the message and the eternal good it brings.
A Call to All
You may not think of yourself as an evangelist—but if you’ve ever shared the good news of Jesus with someone, even timidly, then yes, your feet too have been made beautiful.
Each of us has paths to walk and souls to reach. You don’t need perfect words, or perfect timing—or perfect feet. Just a willing heart and steps directed by God.
So let us celebrate the humble, worn, hardworking feet of every preacher, missionary, teacher, and believer who shares the gospel. The next time you look down and see your own feet—cracked heels and all—remember: they’re not judged by their appearance, but by their mission. If they are bearing the good news of Jesus Christ, then to God—they are beautiful indeed.