Fancy Footwear

Photo credit to Grahame Stageman (used with permission)

Ephesians 6:15

and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace

As a runner one of my most important pieces of gear are my shoes!  I have to wear a neutral shoe, even a slight adjustment that causes me to under or over pronate and my legs will suffer quickly!  I recently bought a new pair of shoes after my marathon, but did not take the time I needed in the shoe store to feel them out.  Even after a few weeks of running in these new shoes, which caused me to slightly under pronate, the damage stopped me in my tracks.  This piece of gear was slightly off for my body, almost unnoticeable, but that was enough to have done some damage!  The lesson was a painful one, it required rest, massage, and a lot of foam rolling to rectify and has left a weakness in my tendon that I will have to be careful of in the future. 

Just like the importance of the right footwear in my running, is the right “footwear” in our faith!  Our footwear affects our footing! Its important enough to be part of the armor of God!  The NIV says “and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.”

footing;

1. a secure grip with one’s feet.

2. he basis on which something is established or operates 

fitted;

1. to be appropriate or suitable for (a situation, etc.)

2. to be of the correct size or shape for (a connection, container, etc)

readiness;

1. the state of being fully prepared for something

2. willingness to do something

The gospel of peace is THE piece of equipment that we cannot go on without!  The Word of God is what prepares us for everything we have ahead, but it's not just given, it's fitted to us, or more accurately I should say we are fitted to it!  The Word is our very foundation! If we are spending time in the Word, see how we can live according to the Word.  We begin to truly understand how are lives are to be lived and how we can walk that out in our day to day service!  No matter what we will face, no matter how we are called, the Word is our guide! If I had taken more time in the shoe store I would have noticed the problem with the shoes and if I take more time in the Word I will notice things in my life that may be off as well!  The only way to grow in faith is to get into the Word, get alone with God, seek Him and wait on Him!

Galatians 5:25

If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

With our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace we can walk by the Spirit.  This is the state of being conscious of Gods presence with us at all times.  When we are aware of His constant presence it helps us to walk in His will and to avoid sin.  We live by the Spirit through our salvation but we must choose to walk by the Spirit!  Putting on the full armor of God every day will help us to continue to serve God in the ways that He calls.

Our faith walk is an ultra marathon.  We have a long way to go, and there will be days that feel impossible and days that feel like the wind is at our back, but with God all things are possible and we need only draw near to Him to find the strength to press forward!