Have you ever heard the expression, “If the shoe fits, wear it!” It means if something applies to us personally, we are to accept responsibility and acknowledge it. I have worn several different types of shoes in my lifetime. some bring back positive memories, others the reverse.
There are many types of shoes in my closet and my spiritual garment bag, each is for a specific purpose.
Shoeless
The foot attire in bible times was, of course, sandals. When God commissioned Moses he commanded,
“Do not come near here;
remove your sandals from your feet,
for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”
Exodus 3:5
I have a painting of Moses and the burning bush above my bed. It illustrates Moses’ surrendering to God’s call. When Joshua met the commander of the Lord’s army before the battle of Jericho, he too was asked to remove his shoes.
Removing the man-made sandals was a reminder that nothing we can or will do qualifies us before God. We come into His presence by grace alone. Like Moses, God asks us to lay aside human effort in surrender to Him.
Sandals are my favorite footwear, slipping easily on and off. Their comfort, ease and simplicity exemplify the warmth and freedom of summer.
My response to God’s invitation to draw close and submit to His leading, should consistently be quick and humble.
Humble Shoes
Humble hardly describes my next illustration!
My husband and I recently moved from farm to city. Everyone in our wonderful new church dressed classy. I mean really “put together”! My laid-back country-style hardly qualifies as either classy or put together.
One Sunday I made special effort to rise to this new standard. Checking myself in the mirror before we left home, I thought, “Yep! Looking good!” On getting out of our vehicle at church, however, I noticed one minor problem. I forgot to change shoes. My feet were clad with fuzzy blue slippers!
I know God laughed, even before my husband did! The laugh was appropriate. I was taking myself way too seriously!
I had three options:
- Go home, change and be late for church
- Dishonestly feign a limp or injury
- Or admit my blunder, swallow my pride, laugh with God and give a few other folks a bit of a chuckle too!
I chose the latter, learning an important lesson!
“…And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.”
Micah 6:8
I think God would like to write this verse permanently across my forehead as a reminder to never remove shoes of humility. Instead, He has written it upon my heart.
Walking in the Spirit
Springtime on the farm required special footwear to navigate the challenges of muddy yards. Mud-walking has two potential hazards: slipping and falling, as well as losing a boot in the suction like grip of the muck. Unfortunately, I have experienced both!
Navigating life has similarities!
“So I say, walk by the Spirit,
and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”
Galatians 5:16
Walking in the “desires of the flesh” is like mud walking. The consequences of gratifying fleshly desires are more far-reaching. Here is Paul’s mini list of mud walking:
“The acts of the flesh are obvious:
sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;
idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy,
fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy;
drunkenness, orgies, and the like.
I warn you, as I did before,
that those who live like this
will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Galatians 5;19-21
On the farm, it was always a relief when the season changed and boots could be stowed away. The comfort of walking sure-footed on dry ground was a relief!
Though an apt illustration, it doesn’t compare with the difference between walking in the flesh and walking by the Spirit.
“just as he who called you is holy,
so be holy in all you do”
I Peter 1:15
God has more for us than mud walking!
Shoes of Faith
The best-looking shoes may not be the most practical.
Shortly after the release of “Olivia & Me”, I had the honour of being a guest on “Talk of the Town” with Lisa Peters. Just before airtime she sat down and put on her best looking shoes. She laughed explaining they were very good sitting shoes, but a little dangerous for walking.
Christians need the sure-footed ability to walk the heights:
“The Lord God is my Strength,
my personal bravery, and my invincible army.
He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to walk
[not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and
make [spiritual] progress upon my high places
[of trouble, suffering or responsibility].”
Habakkuk 3:19
Maneuvering through trouble, suffering, or increasing responsibility requires faith.
The feet of a mountain goat have a hard outer shell and a rubbery, concave foot pad which acts like a suction cup. This helps to cushion their feet when they leap from rock to rock. Incredibly, they are also able to pull themselves up from ledge to ledge with their front feet.
Lisa’s shoes were a beautiful accent to her equally wonderful personality.
Can we honestly settle for only looking good when God has given us strength to climb with faith? He wants us to be able to leap and overcome seemingly impossible obstacles.
Shoes to Run
Serious runners need shoes of tenacity and endurance to run and finish strong.
“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us”
Hebrews 12:1
Our city hosts an annual marathon luring runners of various capabilities. Avid runners train through the heat of summer and the cold blast of winter. They are focused! Each runner wants to reach their peak finishing the 42 kilometer course in their best time.
There are also those who don’t understand the benefits of training. Their bodies groan under the stress for days after the event.
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run,
but only one gets the prize?
Run in such a way as to get the prize.”
I Corinthians 9:24
Endurance is developed in the training; the benefits will not be seen until much later.
Shoes For Battle
Part of every Christian’s armour is
“having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE
PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE”
Ephesians 6:15
The word ‘shod’ reminds me of the process of shoeing horses. Pleasure horses don’t need shoes; serious work horses do. The farrier trims each hoof, grinds down rough edges, and cleans away any debris, before nailing each perfect fitting horseshoe firmly in place.
The Greek word “shod” comes from two words mean “under, beneath, inferior position” and ” to bind, be in bonds, knit or tie.” Acknowledging Jesus as Lord over our lives is part of the binding and preparing.
To effectively share the Gospel of Jesus Christ I must be both bound to and convicted of its liberating truth. I want to be prepared to
“Honor Christ and let him be the Lord of your life.
Always be ready to give an answer
when someone asks you about your hope.”
I Peter 3:15
The Roman soldiers maintained a secure foothold because they wore heavy sandals studded with hobnails. They were able to stand firm in any combat situation. The best stance is the one provided by the peace we find in Jesus.
As Christians we wear many different types of shoes. These are only a choice few.
I haven’t mentioned shoes of compassion and mercy, or shoes of justice and righteousness. We need to be ready to pull from our spiritual garment bag whatever is necessary to re-present Christ well to our generation.
Whether walking, running, or warring, the shoes God has provided fit. Let us wear them well!
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