Shoes

Shoes are an important part of our attire. Imelda Marcos, the wife of Philippines President Fernando Marcos, was said to have had 3,000  pairs of shoes when her husband died. Most of us have fewer pairs in our wardrobe. I’ve always had difficulty with shoes because of an uncorrected ankle issue as a child. This difficulty has worsened in recent years. So I know something about the importance of shoes, something that was amplified this weekend.

I had the honor of conducting the graveside service for my wife’s 105 year old aunt on Saturday. I had a short walk from the car to the gravesite, but as I was walking, I had no support on my left foot. It was taking me forever to proceed to the grave. My brother-in-law, who was helping me looked down and said it looked like my shoes were on the wrong feet. Sure enough, they were! We all had a good laugh and before returning to the car, we put my shoes on the right feet, and I walked back to the car in about a third of the time without a problem. 

I began to think that there has to be a spiritual application to this experience (hopefully to salvage at least a modicum of self-respect). I also found that the idiom of getting off on the right foot implies starting something well or successfully. This certainly can be applied spiritually, but I think there is also another application of shoes in the Bible that can speak to all of us.

In Paul’s description of what he called the whole armor of God, he said these words:

”Put on your shoes so that you are ready to spread the Good News that gives peace.” (Ephesians 6:15, God’s Word translation)

The allegory here points to the fact that shoes are crucial to being ready to deploy at a moment’s notice. 

This verse speaks to two things. First of all, we are to be READY to spread the Good News. This is the mandate for every Christ-follower. Secondly, we are to emphasize PEACE, as opposed to soldiers who fought against the enemy.

The Good News, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, brings peace to a world of chaos. It gives hope to the hopeless. It’s a peace that surpasses all understanding. We need to be introducing others to this peace.

Are we ready to do that? Are we ready to share the peace that the Good News gives? THAT is what Jesus has commanded us to do. Let’s be faithful to do so, but be sure your shoes are on the right feet!