shoes

fabulous footwear – con’t

Posted on by Grace Day

After writing the previous post (“fabulous footwear”) I now find myself focused on footwear much more than is typical for me or is necessary for that matter. I myself am wearing the same old shoes that I typically wear every day, being a firm believer that if you find something that works for you, stick with it, right? I am not making a statement with my shoes – fashion or otherwise. BUT –

I work in a high school and I have noticed that footwear is very important to the students here. Shoes seem to be more than just a fashion statement. Shoes here are symbols signaling status, identity, and perhaps power. Apparently, it’s all about the brand – the name brand. The name conveys the status, the name is the identity, the name confers the power to the wearer of the shoe. Who knew?

And I thought footwear was just to keep your feet warm, clean and dry? Turns out, footwear fills a much more important function for these teenagers than just utility, fashion or wardrobe choice. Their footwear defines them. For these teenagers, it’s all about the name – the name brand of the shoe.

However, I think Shakespeare would disagree. His view on the subject was revealed when he said – “What’s in a name? A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” However, that doesn’t seem to ring true anymore. Today it’s all about the name – probably why we have expressions such as “making a name for herself” or “name dropping” or “name brand.” It is all about the name after all.

So it’s not surprising that when a shoe bears the name of “Jordan”, it is a more expensive, more popular and a more impressive shoe, simply by virtue of the name. (of course I’m referring to the basketball star, Michael Jordan) Likewise, when I’m wearing shoes “fitted with the readiness of the peace of the gospel” that my Heavenly Father provides for me, I am wearing name brand shoes too. BUT – not just any name. No, these shoes bear the name of Christ. And that’s a big deal. How do I know this? Well in Acts I read this –

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

Peter acknowledged this truth to Jesus when he said –

“Simon Peter answered Him (Jesus), ‘Lord to whom shall we go? You alone have the words of eternal life.’ ” (John 6:68)

The psalmist said –

“O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!” (Psalm 8:1)

“Let them praise the name of the Lord, for His name alone is exalted; His splendor is above the earth and the heavens.” (Psalm 148:13)

When I’m wearing the shoes God has provided for me, shoes that fit my feet perfectly with the readiness of the peace of the gospel, it’s like I’m wearing Jordans but infinitely better. Jordan is a really big name in the shoe world and in the sports world BUT – my name brand shoes bear an exponentially bigger name – a name described in this way –

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:5-11)

Wow! That’s the name my God given shoes bear – the name of Jesus. What a privilege to wear the shoes that bear His name – His holy name that is above all names. I had better walk well when wearing these shoes so as not to dishonor or disgrace Jesus’s name. If I’m going to wear such fabulous footwear, this is my prayer –

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14)

What a privilege to wear such fabulous “name-brand” footwear every day!

sincerely, Grace Day

fabulous footwear

Posted on by Grace Day

I went walking today, so my footwear was a prime consideration. You might think that the weather or comfort would be the most important factors influencing my choice of footwear for said walk. You would be correct. However, there was a time when the style, brand and popularity of what I wore on my feet carried far more weight than any practical considerations. I even used to wear high heels. (what was I thinking?) Not so anymore.

One thing is still true however. There are shoes for every occasion and every activity under the sun. There are running shoes, hiking shoes/boots, dancing shoes, basketball shoes, ballet slippers, soccer shoes, rain boots, snow boots, wingtips, sandals, clogs, crocs – there are water shoes and even footwear for swimming and scuba diving – aka flippers! One of my favorite shoes as a teenager was a pair of soft leather moccasins complete with fringe. Not much foot support but super comfortable. I wore them everywhere. They were cool. Then there were my very uncomfortable, well actually very painful, pink toe shoes from my ballet days. Ballet is a beautiful but painful pastime and I had the bloody toes to prove it at the time.

Since footwear has become so important and so specialized nowadays, this begs the question – what are the appropriate shoes for me to wear for prayer walking? (one guy in our group wears flip flops pretty much year round and we have all four seasons here) After all, prayer walking is a very specific type of walking, encompassing both all terrain and all weather walking, as I have alluded to in previous posts. (post -“walking on what?”) You would think this would call for some very specialized footwear and you would be right. God’s word clearly describes the footwear that I need to put on for this particular activity.

“and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” (Ephesians 6:15)

I need to be fitted with special footwear, specifically designed for just the type of walking I, along with my prayer walking friends, do on a regular basis. Fortunately, my Heavenly Father provides me with this very specialized, personalized, powerful footwear. It is just what I need to enable me to walk the distance and to have sure footing on all types of terrain. I don’t want to stumble and fall. Fortunately, God’s footwear enables me to walk with confidence as is promised in Proverbs –

“When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.” (Proverbs 4:12)

God’s shoes make it possible for me to walk, to run and to stand, which I also need to be able to do, just as it says in Ephesians –

“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then,” (Ephesians 6:13-14)

These special prayer walking shoes are part of the armor God graciously provides for his children, knowing that we are in a spiritual battle and that we need the protection His armor provides and the ability His shoes provide us to both go where He sends us and to stand firm when we get there. I am told my feet must be fitted with this readiness so that I am ready and able to walk anywhere at anytime, and when I reach my destination, I am able to stand firm in my specially fitted, God provided, shoes.

This is some fabulous footwear for sure! I guess that makes sense because beautiful feet require special shoes and God’s word says this about my and my friends’ prayer walking feet –

“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’ ” (Isaiah 52:7)

In Romans I read this same sentiment –

“How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” (Romans 10:15)

My Heavenly Father says my feet are beautiful! And He provides me some fabulous footwear so that I can safely and effectively carry His gospel of peace far and wide, to anyone and to everyone. King David knew about God’s special shoes. He said this –

“It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; He enables me to stand on the heights.” (Psalm 18:32-33)

And in Habakkuk I read –

“The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on the heights.” (Habakkuk 3:19)

I definitely need special shoes if I am going to stand on the heights. And I really need special shoes if I am going to carry God’s gospel of peace to the neighborhood where we prayer walk every Saturday morning. Without fail, my Heavenly Father provides me these shoes when I need them (which is twenty-four/seven). These shoes fit me perfectly, they are totally comfortable, they don’t wear out and they never go out of style. I guess that’s because the good news of the peace of the gospel never goes out of style either.

The peace of the gospel is ageless and priceless. Kind of like God’s fabulous footwear that enables me to go on the heights, to walk in all weather, on all terrain, to deliver the good news to all people and to stand firm. Nowadays, these are the only shoes I wear. These are the only shoes I need – God’s designer shoes, specially fitted with the peace of the gospel.

“and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” (Ephesians 6:15)

thank You, Lord, for the gift of Your fabulous footwear!

sincerely, Grace Day