Ephesians 6:14-16 (New International Version)
14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled
around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted
with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
Well, I've always been either a "barefoot Kentucky girl" or a "barefoot Oklahoma girl" until now.
Looks like those days are over.
One thing I've learned in my little journey with a foot problem is that my feet need more attention and support than I've ever given them. So, after hearing about Earth brand shoes from Nick's oncologist nurse practitioner, Suzanne, I ordered a couple of pairs. They came yesterday!!! I have to admit that after teaching two days in a row, my foot was throbbing again yesterday afternoon, so placing my feet in these new slippers felt so wonderful!!! They have a "no-heel" technology system that is amazing, placing most of your weight when walking onto the ball of your feet and taking it off of the heel. Yeah!!! Thank you, Suzanne! And thank you, too, for all of the other little tips on exercises and things to help my foot feel better!
I don't know when I'll stop being amazed at how God uses ABSOLUTELY everything to draw us closer to Him.
I've been having my quiet time this morning and Wow! God is just pulling everything together and speaking some powerful words today!
First, just as my earthly feet need to be fitted in some type of shoe that will bring physical peace, my spiritual feet need to be fitted with readiness that comes from the Gospel of peace.
I did a little research and learned that a soldiers shoe at the time Ephesians was written was an open-toed, spiked shoe that laced up the ankle. It served an important purpose. It kept him stable when he was in battle, so he would not lose his footing..so he wouldn't slip and then be overcome by the attacker.
Hmmmmm.....sure makes me think about the spiritual battle we are all in today and how God calls us to life of peace. Jesus says, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27)
There are a lot of things in my life that, when I speak them out, should not bring me peace. But there is something powerfully freeing about RELEASING these things to my Heavenly Father who longs to bring us peace.
Zechariah in his song about the coming of his son, John the Baptist, said in Luke 1,
6And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;
for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,
77to give his people the knowledge of salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins,
78because of the tender mercy of our God,
by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven
79to shine on those living in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the path of peace."
John the Baptist came to guide our feet into the path of peace! He came to prepare the way for Jesus. And when Jesus came, He was declared none other than the Prince of Peace!
Now, here's the tricky part and the part where I believe God is speaking to me today.
Jesus from His own mouth once asked this question in Luke 12,
51Do you think I came to bring peace on earth?
I think it is very, very important for me to remember that the answer to that question was, "No."
We will not find perfect peace on this planet. But we can live a life of peace knowing that perfect peace is promised in eternity!
So, my feet need to be fitted with His Word so that I can walk in peace with God and carry the peace of God in my heart as I walk. I read a great online devotional that shared about both of these verses.
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1)
and
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:6,7)
So, today as I venture into my list of things to do, I'll wear my new shoes that are bringing a sense of peace to my body; but more importantly, I want to choose to have my feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
Like a Roman soldier, I want to be prepared for the battle ahead of me. I know the devil has plans for me today, and I want to be found standing firm.
I want you to be found standing firm today!
Lacing my spiritual shoes up over my ankles,
3 Comments:
This is a great post!! God is so good and without peace with Him, where would I be?
Hey Tammy! Just wanted to write you a little note to tell you I am sorry about the problems you are having with your feet and if you have never given Birkenstocks a try--I highly recommend them. So much in fact that they are all I wear! I got my firt pair when I was pregnant with Gunnar due to the horrible back and leg pain I was having at the time, and they say people often have to wear them only a few hours at a time at first to break them in, so I wore them to my next 16 hour shift at the hospital, tennis shoes in a bag (just in case) and I never had to take them off and have never looked back. I only wear the sandals in the summer and clogs in colder months, and I do not have any more back trouble. Also, after my head injury, I had a terrible limp on my right side for quite a while. I found out that when I went bare footed, at home, i had a lot more pain than on days when I was on my feet all day long. I discovered if I just wear my Birks through the house (like houseshoes) I have much less trouble. Praying for a solution and quick end to the problems your feet are having!
When I rubbed Andrew's feet and sang to him in the hospital. I often thought about the scripture, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace..."
The shoes look great, too.
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