Kiss Your Feet
John Mark McMillan
A Journey of Devotion and Brokenness
John Mark McMillan's song "Kiss Your Feet" is a poignant exploration of devotion, humility, and the rawness of human brokenness. The imagery in the lyrics is vivid and evocative, painting a picture of a person who is deeply committed to expressing their reverence and love, even in the most humble and degrading circumstances. The act of kissing feet, especially amidst cigarette butts on a city street, symbolizes a profound act of humility and worship. This is further emphasized by the reference to the alabaster jar, a biblical allusion to Mary Magdalene anointing Jesus' feet with expensive perfume, signifying deep respect and adoration.
The recurring theme of crawling on the floor to find the object of devotion highlights a sense of desperation and earnestness. The protagonist is willing to abase themselves completely to express their feelings, indicating a powerful emotional and spiritual connection. The mention of bleeding with praises to make the world smell like grace again suggests a sacrificial element, where the protagonist's suffering and devotion are meant to bring about a sense of divine grace and beauty in a broken world.
The song also delves into the theme of brokenness, with lines like "Good morning brokenness, you know you've cut me to the bone." This raw acknowledgment of pain and suffering is juxtaposed with the idea of finding solace and purpose within it, as symbolized by the alabaster jar. The protagonist's journey is one of embracing their afflictions, however light they may seem, and finding a way to transform them into acts of devotion and grace. McMillan's lyrical style, rich with metaphor and biblical references, invites listeners to reflect on their own experiences of brokenness and the ways they seek to find meaning and connection through it.