Charles Hollis “Chuck” Taylor (June 24, 1901 – June 23, 1969) was an American basketball player and shoe salesman/evangelist. He is best known for his association with the Chuck Taylor All-Stars sneaker, the most successful selling basketball shoe in history.
True story: I have never seen the movie Happy Feet.
Also true story: I have a pair of red Chuck Taylor high tops.
I rarely wear them. I bought them for a costume. While they look great and I get lots of compliments, there’s no support in them. If you read yesterday’s post, large, old, white actors like me need to take care of our feet.
I do wear them once or twice at Christmas.
Perhaps my feet would be happier these days if they hadn’t spent to many summers going barefoot. Or perhaps not.
It’s the weekend. Or close enough to it.
As you read this, my bride and I are on our way to spend the weekend in the city where we met. We’ll be back on the campus of Asbury University for her class reunion. We’ll spend time with old friends and share some memories. It’s always good to go back.
A lot of feet have crossed through the halls of Asbury University in her 126 years.
Scripture says:
How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace,
who bring good tidings,
who proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion,
“Your God reigns!”
Isaiah 52:7
Feet play a prominent role in the gospel. On the night he was arrested, Jesus washed the feet of his disciples in an act of service. The next day, his feet were pierced with nails as he was crucified.
Many of my friends and classmates have spent their lives proclaming the gospel. From the pulpit. On the mission field.
We’ll get to spend some time with some of them this weekend.
I don’t suspect we’ll spend much time looking at their feet.
But it’s a reminder that our feet are supposed to take us places. They take us to places to do good things. To spread good news.
I’ll be spending a little time this weekend thinking about where my feet need to be going.
I don’t know exactly what that means other than knowing they’ll just be wearing something with more support than my Chucks.