---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We have all been called to be…"
description: "\"“We have all been called to be foot-washers\". ~R. Alan Woods [2006]”\" — R. Alan Woods"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/084/r-alan-woods-1455_called_we-have-all-been-called-to-be-foot-washe_2393830.jpg"
---

#  We have all been called to be foot-washers". ~R. Alan…

![“We have all been called to be foot-washers&quot;. ~R. Alan Woods &#91;2006&#93;” quote by R. Alan Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/084/r-alan-woods-1455_called_we-have-all-been-called-to-be-foot-washe_2393830.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/084/r-alan-woods-1455_called_we-have-all-been-called-to-be-foot-washe_2393830.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/084/r-alan-woods-1455_called_we-have-all-been-called-to-be-foot-washe_2393830.jpg)

> ““We have all been called to be foot-washers". ~R. Alan Woods \[2006\]””

[R. Alan Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-alan-woods/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Everyone is called to serve humbly, like washing another’s feet, symbolizing selfless care for others.

**In simple terms:** Serve others humbly.

Key Takeaway

Practice modest service.

Themes

service humility compassion

Mood

thoughtful encouraging

Type

inspirational ethical

When to use this quote

- volunteering
- community aid
- personal mentorship

Key Concepts

self‑sacrifice spiritual duty human dignity

Questions to Reflect On

- Who can you serve in your life today?
- How does humble service change your perspective?

A Different Perspective

May be misinterpreted as subservience.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Called](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/called/) [Called Foot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/called-foot-2583387/) [Foot Washers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/foot-washers-5330156/) [R-alan-woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/r-alan-woods/) [Servant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/servant/) [Servant leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/servant-leader/) [Servant of god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/servant-of-god/) [Servanthood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/servanthood/) [Servants](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/servants/) [Washers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/washers-5212508/) [Washers Alan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/washers-alan-5971088/)

## Related quotes

> [“Thing is, foot-washers think women are a sin in definition.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harper-lee/thing-is-foot-washers-think-women-are-a-sin-in-definition/)

[Harper Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harper-lee/)

> [“Love may challenge and love may correct but love will never shame. Love may call us out to uncomfortable places but love will never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peggy-haymes/love-may-challenge-and-love-may-correct-but-love-will-never-shame/)

[Peggy Haymes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peggy-haymes/)

> [Everybody can be great...because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/everybody-can-be-great-because-anybody-can-serve-you-don-t-have-to/)

[Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/)

> [There is but one just use of power and it is to serve people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/there-is-but-one-just-use-of-power-and-it-is-to-serve-people/)

[George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/)

> [It's damage to a nerve. It pretty much shut down the whole lower part of my left leg. I wasn't able to step anymore.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chandler/it-s-damage-to-a-nerve-it-pretty-much-shut-down-the-whole-lower-part/)

[Michael Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chandler/)

> [“My sons have all grown now, so I'm down from five washers to one, but one takes just as long.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucia-berlin/my-sons-have-all-grown-now-so-i-m-down-from-five-washers-to-one-but/)

[Lucia Berlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucia-berlin/)

> [Most 'scientists' are bottle washers and button sorters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/most-scientists-are-bottle-washers-and-button-sorters/)

[Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/)

> [“To Christy Wimber: "Are you even aware of the massive growth of the 'organic' home church movement in the USA??? They are primarily comprised…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-alan-woods/to-christy-wimber-are-you-even-aware-of-the-massive-growth-of-the/)

[R. Alan Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-alan-woods/)

> [I concluded some time ago that a major part of success of a team, or of an individual, has a great deal to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-bennett/i-concluded-some-time-ago-that-a-major-part-of-success-of-a-team-or/)

[Dick Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-bennett/)

> [“The chief means of resisting manipulation is humility – knowing who we really are and facing it. You can only serve by love. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gayle-d-erwin/the-chief-means-of-resisting-manipulation-is-humility-knowing-who-we/)

[Gayle D. Erwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gayle-d-erwin/)

> [“I probably felt more resentment for what I personally was to suffer than for the wrong they were doing to anyone and everyone. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-augustine-of-hippo/i-probably-felt-more-resentment-for-what-i-personally-was-to-suffer/)

[St. Augustine of Hippo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-augustine-of-hippo/)

> [Tied to the value of the person is the principle of servanthood. We value what we freely serve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-groothuis/tied-to-the-value-of-the-person-is-the-principle-of-servanthood-we/)

[Douglas Groothuis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-groothuis/)

> [Servanthood does not nullify leadership; it defines it. Jesus does not cease to be the Lion of Judah when He becomes the lamblike servant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/servanthood-does-not-nullify-leadership-it-defines-it-jesus-does-not/)

[John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/)

> [“Power is meant to be shared with the goal of empowering others. Hoarded power weakens others and exalts oneself. Power, when grounded in biblical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/duane-elmer/power-is-meant-to-be-shared-with-the-goal-of-empowering-others/)

[Duane Elmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/duane-elmer/)

> [“No truth is more pervasive in Scripture and Christian tradition than this one—that real freedom is found in obedience and servanthood. And yet no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-olson/no-truth-is-more-pervasive-in-scripture-and-christian-tradition-than/)

[Roger Olson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-olson/)

## More by R. Alan Woods

> [“The more important point is that Reality is much more 'nuanced' that we may imagine. Operationally co-existent economies make for a much better fit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-alan-woods/the-more-important-point-is-that-reality-is-much-more-nuanced-that-we/)

[R. Alan Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-alan-woods/)

> [“No one can claim to possess another, only God has the legitimate right to posses us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-alan-woods/no-one-can-claim-to-possess-another-only-god-has-the-legitimate-right/)

[R. Alan Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-alan-woods/)

> [ “The Love of Christ in us never fails". ~R. Alan Woods \[2013\]” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-alan-woods/the-love-of-christ-in-us-never-fails-r-alan-woods-2013/)

[R. Alan Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-alan-woods/)

> [ “‎"If we are truly the Lord's, we all walk with a limp" ~R. Alan Woods \[2012\] \*Note: 'Jacobs Ladder'.” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-alan-woods/if-we-are-truly-the-lord-s-we-all-walk-with-a-limp-r-alan-woods-2012/)

[R. Alan Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-alan-woods/)

> [“The idea that we are to be absorbed into the Deity is Gnostic in its origins and is quite antithetical to Christianity." ~R. Alan…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-alan-woods/the-idea-that-we-are-to-be-absorbed-into-the-deity-is-gnostic-in-its/)

[R. Alan Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-alan-woods/)

> [ “I have struck out more times than I can count, but I have hit many home runs as well". ~R. Alan Woods {2013\]” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-alan-woods/i-have-struck-out-more-times-than-i-can-count-but-i-have-hit-many/)

[R. Alan Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-alan-woods/)

> [ “Be annoyed and sin not" ~R. Alan Woods \[2012\]” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-alan-woods/be-annoyed-and-sin-not-r-alan-woods-2012/)

[R. Alan Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-alan-woods/)

> [ “There are enough hours in a day to know that you are truly loved." ~R. Alan Woods \[2013\]” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-alan-woods/there-are-enough-hours-in-a-day-to-know-that-you-are-truly-loved-r/)

[R. Alan Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-alan-woods/)

> [“It's not about worthiness, it's about willingness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-alan-woods/it-s-not-about-worthiness-it-s-about-willingness/)

[R. Alan Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-alan-woods/)

> [ “In my opinion, we will always be sinners in need of our Savior, Jesus Christ." ~R. Alan Woods \[2007\]” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-alan-woods/in-my-opinion-we-will-always-be-sinners-in-need-of-our-savior-jesus/)

[R. Alan Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-alan-woods/)

> [“Faith without reason produces a mindless Christianity which is less than useless; the focus on justice in this world produces a theology that chases…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-alan-woods/faith-without-reason-produces-a-mindless-christianity-which-is-less/)

[R. Alan Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-alan-woods/)

> [ “‎"The only abject failure my mind can think of is ones failure to spend Eternity in God's Heaven" ~R. Alan Woods \[2012\]” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-alan-woods/the-only-abject-failure-my-mind-can-think-of-is-ones-failure-to-spend/)

[R. Alan Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-alan-woods/)

> [ “Knowledge &amp; understanding mixed with ones convictions of 'experience' is hardly impositional". ~R. Alan Woods \[2012\]” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-alan-woods/knowledge-understanding-mixed-with-ones-convictions-of-experience-is/)

[R. Alan Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-alan-woods/)

> [ “God accomplishes much through us His servants". ~R. Alan Woods \[2012\]” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-alan-woods/god-accomplishes-much-through-us-his-servants-r-alan-woods-2012/)

[R. Alan Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-alan-woods/)

> [ “Greed applied is prosperity realized". ~R. Alan Woods \[2006\]” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-alan-woods/greed-applied-is-prosperity-realized-r-alan-woods-2006/)

[R. Alan Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-alan-woods/)

[Explore all 239 R. Alan Woods quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-alan-woods/)

## More Called quotes

> [We are not all leaders. We are called leaders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-stanley/we-are-not-all-leaders-we-are-called-leaders/)

[Andy Stanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-stanley/)

> [Nothing will kill what you've been called to do more than comparing yourself to someone else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-moore/nothing-will-kill-what-you-ve-been-called-to-do-more-than-comparing/)

[Beth Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-moore/)

> [I also found being called Sir rather silly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/i-also-found-being-called-sir-rather-silly/)

[Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/)

> [I don't bite you know ... unless it's called for,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audrey-hepburn/i-don-t-bite-you-know-unless-it-s-called-for/)

[Audrey Hepburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audrey-hepburn/)

> [It is called LIFE](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mua/it-is-called-life/)

[Mua](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mua/)

> [“You gave me a key and called it home.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-sakavic/you-gave-me-a-key-and-called-it-home/)

[Nora Sakavic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-sakavic/)

> [“Once, on a walk by a river- Eskdale in low reddish sunlight, with a dusting of snow- his daughter quoted to him an opening…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mcewan/once-on-a-walk-by-a-river-eskdale-in-low-reddish-sunlight-with-a/)

[Ian McEwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mcewan/)

> [I'll bet you anything you like that half an hour after they have met, they will be calling each other sister. Women only do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/i-ll-bet-you-anything-you-like-that-half-an-hour-after-they-have-met/)

[Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/)

> [More is required than a common last name to truly be called a family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wes-fesler/more-is-required-than-a-common-last-name-to-truly-be-called-a-family/)

[Wes Fesler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wes-fesler/)

> [My wife." "By what name is she called, Kincaid?" "Mine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-garwood/my-wife-by-what-name-is-she-called-kincaid-mine/)

[Julie Garwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-garwood/)

> [Don't call my phone and ask me who I am...you called ME!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/don-t-call-my-phone-and-ask-me-who-i-am-you-called-me/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [I would have to go back to being a dog. I've called myself a dog for many years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hank-williams-iii/i-would-have-to-go-back-to-being-a-dog-i-ve-called-myself-a-dog-for/)

[Hank Williams III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hank-williams-iii/)

> [I get called 'controversial' all the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/i-get-called-controversial-all-the-time/)

[Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/)

> [“Hey, A-D-D,” she called out to Claire, “come over and try these on.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-derting/hey-a-d-d-she-called-out-to-claire-come-over-and-try-these-on/)

[Kimberly Derting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberly-derting/)

> [I am but honoured to be called as yours and to be seen as yours](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josephine/i-am-but-honoured-to-be-called-as-yours-and-to-be-seen-as-yours/)

[Josephine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josephine/)

[Browse all 556 Called quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/called/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“We have all been called to be foot-washers\". ~R. Alan Woods [2006]”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "R. Alan Woods"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-alan-woods/we-have-all-been-called-to-be-foot-washers-r-alan-woods-2006/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Called"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-alan-woods/we-have-all-been-called-to-be-foot-washers-r-alan-woods-2006/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/084/r-alan-woods-1455_called_we-have-all-been-called-to-be-foot-washe_2393830.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/084/r-alan-woods-1455_called_we-have-all-been-called-to-be-foot-washe_2393830.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/084/r-alan-woods-1455_called_we-have-all-been-called-to-be-foot-washe_2393830.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“We have all been called to be foot-washers\". ~R. Alan Woods [2006]” — R. Alan Woods",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "R. Alan Woods",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-alan-woods/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“We have all been called to...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-alan-woods/we-have-all-been-called-to-be-foot-washers-r-alan-woods-2006/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-alan-woods/we-have-all-been-called-to-be-foot-washers-r-alan-woods-2006/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
