Earlier this month (September 2025), I was blessed to ride the Katy Trail in Missouri from Clinton in the west to Machens at the far east end, a total of 240 miles. It was a great experience with ideal weather, beautiful scenery, and delightful conversations with my two riding buddies throughout our travels. However, like much of the Midwest, Missouri has had very little rainfall this summer, so the crushed gravel surface that extends the whole length of the trail was quite dusty. This meant that we not only had to clean off our water bottles frequently, we also had to wash down our bikes now and then to get all the grit out of our sprockets and derailleurs.
That’s not to say that the dust was a major problem, because it wasn’t. In fact, by the time we finished our week-long adventure, Iwas actually feeling pretty good about all the dust that coated my bike and panniers (see photo), since it bore witness to the wonderful journey we’d just shared together. It also reminded me of an old blessing I’ve heard people say at times: “May your feet be covered in the dust of your rabbi.”
That blessing likely grew out of an ancient saying contained in theJewish Mishnah, which goes like this: “Let thy house be a meetinghouse for the wise; and powder thyself in the dust of their feet.” (Avot 1:4) In other words, surround yourself with the wisest people and follow them so closely that your feet become covered with the dust they kick up, which also represents their teachings.
Back in Jesus’ day, that’s exactly what happened as his disciplesfollowed him here and there across the dusty terrain of Israelspreading the good news of God’s love. It wasn’t easy, but what a blessing it must have been to walk so close to Jesus—the ultimate Teacher—that their feet literally got covered in his dust!
So, let me ask you: Whose dust covers your feet? Are you following Jesus so closely that his teachings and ways cling to you like dust, or are you running after lesser things that weigh you down? If the latter, I invite you to heed the wise counsel of Hebrews 12:1-2,which says, “…let us lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that’s set before us, looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.”
Will you join me in looking to him now?
Prayer: Jesus, as I walk this path of life, help me to follow you wherever you lead. I want to be so covered in the “dust” of your wisdom and love that others can’t help but see you living in me. I ask this in your own holy name. Amen
Dave Marty is a retired pastor who lives with his wife, Mary, in Brownsburg, Indiana. They have two beautiful daughters, two great sons-in-law, and two creative teenage grandchildren. In addition to cycling (including unicycling), Dave also enjoys gardening, Scrabble, hosting Holy Land tours with Mary, and tutoring kindergarteners at a nearby school