Wearing Shoes For The Kingdom

 

         My husband loved shoes!  Each was worn with a specific purpose. He had different styles for different functions or different colors for different occasions.  He had dress shoes for church or other dress occasions, sneakers for fun, easy walking, work boots, hunting boots, lots of slippers of different levels of warmth, dress boots, cowboy boots, work boots, shoes that tied, slipped on and even a pair or two of velcro!  

Paul talks about shoes in Ephesians 6.  He calls them the ‘shoes of preparation.’  When I think of shoes, I am pretty adamant about not wanting to be without them while I’m outdoors!  I want something on my feet to protect me from bugs, hot or cold surfaces, sharp stones or holly leaves. (We have a lot of holly trees in our yard and while I love them, I loathe stepping on a holly leaf which has fallen to the ground!) 

We are told over and over again, to walk in the way of the Lord.  The Bible instructs us to walk as Jesus walked.  Back when Jesus was on the earth, he wore sandals.  The roads he traveled were dusty and long.  In one story we hear about his feet being washed by tears (Luke 7:36-38).  Even in the Upper Room, Jesus washed the disciples feet. (John 13:1-17).  Surely this indicates care of our feet are important.

But wearing our shoes, which obviously protect our feet, are a symbol of the ‘Gospel of Peace’.   The Good News is supposed to be spread by all Believers.  When we ignore taking care of ourselves we are unprepared (physically, emotionally or spiritually) for ‘going out’ to share God’s Word.  How then, can we ‘walk’ or simply ‘go’ to share about the Kingdom?

Further we are described as ‘soldiers in God’s army’.  As soldiers, we are to put on ‘the armor of God’ which includes shoes, that help protect us from literal, physical harm, on where we ‘walk’, but also in the sense, that we are covering any space an arrow from Satan could pierce us--and you can be absolutely certain, if he can get an arrow of any type of hindrance or temptation in, he's going to try!  By being ‘shod with the Gospel of Peace’ we are equipped to enter the spiritual war zone, where we must travel.  Our shoes allow us to walk without fear to—and in --places we’d never travel barefoot!  

While it’s true, because of our very modern devices which disseminates information in an instant; we as Believers, must still carry the message to those who need to hear it.  Just as it was personal for Jesus, it should be personal to us. 

As we carry out our ‘marching orders’ given us by Jesus, himself, we are provided the means to fulfill the mission before us, regardless of the, sticks and stones, briars and thorns Satan will absolutely put in our path in an effort to reduce progress and success.

Are you ready to put on the ‘armor of God’, including shoes which you need, to traverse areas unkind to your feet—-and ultimately your faith!?  Prepare to share the Gospel fully equipped, by wearing the full protection God has provided!   By doing so we can each make a difference right in the ‘little corner of the world’ where we live!

Photo Credit: Men's Shoes