“Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.”

‭‭John‬ ‭13:5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

https://www.bible.com/59/jhn.13.5.esv

As Christians we can find ourselves waiting for glamorous moments of inspiration. All-the-while, there are many things being left undone. If we all waiting until we felt like doing what needed to be done, would it really get done? Probably not. In this passage, Jesus takes an instance and transforms it right before His disciples’ eyes.

The washing of feet upon entering a house was nothing new. This was a common practice at any house in this culture and time. Everyone knew what needed to be done and yet none but the Lord moved to do it. This was a task usually reserved for the lowest and most common of servants in the house. But look at what Jesus does: He takes the menial and makes it meaningful.

Jesus proves, not only through this moment but time and again, that it’s not the task itself, but the live with which it is done that matters. Jesus transforms the mundane and menial by transforming our motivation. Jesus was compelled by His love. His identity was secure. He was confident in Who He was, where He was going and what His purpose was. His inspiration to wash their feet was that it needed to be done and He could use it to teach them more. Perhaps our greatest inspiration can come from simply doing what needs to be done?

Jesus reveals that as a servant-leader the action must be taken by that servant-leader. However the servant-leader can transform that menial task and elevate it to a life-changing experience through the love by which it is done. Don’t underestimate the power of a moment, no matter how trivial it may seem. One may never know how God has used it.

What menial and mundane tasks do you need to do today? How can you find inspiration through them?

How is your motivation these days? Is love your greatest motivator?

How can you be open to God using you in small mundane tasks to serve another?

In what ways is God showing you His love?