June 11: SHOES OF PEACE

Theme: Walking in Purpose and Grace

Ephesians 6:15

 

It is so ironic that I get to talk on a topic with the word PEACE in it.  I am usually seen as loud, rowdy and not so peaceful, for those who know me. Yet, each of us is daily deciding for either peace or war as we walk and work in purpose and grace in a pair of shoes, whether it is crocs, stiletto, loafers, football boots, spikes, skating shoes, snow boots, wedge, flip flop, crepe, boots, tennis, sneakers, ballet flats, hiking boots, sandals, bed slippers, and even water boots.

Don’t get me wrong, I love shoes. I can remember, years ago, I had shoes of various sizes and colors galore! I had shoes that were ugly, unique, weird, big for my feet, shoes that burned my feet and even shoes that were never worn.  I had so many shoes that when friends came to look for me, they would leave with at least one pair. That’s how much I loved shoes! Yet, my love for shoes has helped me to recognize that we need to be intentional and purposeful with our decisions about which shoes we are putting on: shoes of peace or war.

Quite fittingly, the Bible depicts our Christian experience and journey as one of warfare. We should always see ourselves as warriors, fighting battles to keep the “shoes of peace” on our feet. We should always be alert to the fact that the devil tries desperately to send situations and or persons in our way, to change the ‘peace shoes’ we are wearing.  I am sure that you have found yourselves on many occasions, asking this exact question – “How did I get into this?”  Wasn’t I going about my happy way?  How is it that I never saw this coming? How is it that I changed my shoes? I thought that I was walking in purpose and grace, but unfortunately, I have been caught off guard and the shoes of peace that I have been wearing have been off even without me recognizing.

Thousands of years ago, shoes belonging to soldiers, formed the foundation of their arming. In those days, the foot soldiers of the empire relied on walking as their primary means of transportation, so the ability to move easily and comfortably was a necessity for them. In addition, they needed to be able to step about in battle without thinking about where they placed their feet. They needed solid footing in order to concentrate on the battle at hand. The hobnails on their shoes made it easier to hold their ground or navigate through difficult terrain.  Ephesians 6:15 reminds us that our feet should be clad with the preparation of the gospel, “Let this gospel, always be ready to direct and confirm our every step as we walk in purpose and grace.” This part of the armor for the feet is needful, considering how far a journey we must go; what an arduous race we must run. Our feet must be so shod that our footsteps do not slip.

So, my dearest wonder women, let us ALWAYS be clad in the shoes of peace. Let us be deliberate, reminding ourselves and reminding each other about the shoes of peace we are to wear. Let us pray to God for overcoming strength when we are faced with choices, faced with certain decisions and faced with trials that will seek to trigger us to switch our “shoes of peace” for “shoes of war”. Like Paul, let us intentionally purpose in our hearts to do everything possible to keep them on.

Prayer: 

Lord, we thank you for the opportunity to know the difference between the shoes of peace and the shoes of war.  Help us, Heavenly Father, as ladies, to make the right choices and to always do our best to keep on the “peace shoes” so that we can walk in Your purpose and Your grace, in Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.