What's on Your Feet?

I love shoes!  Well, except for flip-flops.  Which aren't really shoes anyway, are they??!!

I rarely wear flip-flops unless I'm at the beach or going to get a pedicure.  I really can't stand anything between my toes.

Since my ankle fusion surgery a few years ago, my footwear choices are somewhat limited.  No more cute little high-heeled sandals for me.  No more high-heeled anything, since my ankle doesn't bend.  That pretty much rules out anything with a high heel.  Or a medium heel.  Or any heel, for that matter.

Usually you will see me wearing shoes like this: 

 

Or this: 

 

 

Or maybe even like this:

 

 

 

 

 Not a flip-flop or high heel in the bunch!

 

No matter the footwear style, there's something each of us should have on our feet, if we're fully dressed.  If we're clothed in the "full armor of God".  (Ephesians 6:11,13). 

 

To be fully clothed, we should be wearing the shoes of the gospel of peace.     (Ephesians 6:15)

 

In his book Encouragement in His Presence, this is what my pastor, Dr. Don Wilton, has to say about those shoes:  "The shoes of the gospel of peace make up the third piece of the armor.  When you put on God's shoes of the gospel of peace, your feet are protected from the thorns of life, the rocks you encounter, the heat of the desert, and they will give you the traction to run in the battle.  A soldier is taught to NEVER take his shoes off."

 

What about you?    Are your feet "shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace", as the KJV puts it?  Are you fully clothed in the armor of God?

 

I have been taught often over the years by a number of pastors and Bible teachers that we need to get up every day and intentionally clothe ourselves in the armor of God, naming each piece of the armor as we get dressed.  I think that's good advice.  So we're fully clothed, not omitting any of the essentials.  So we are able to stand firm against whatever comes our way. And so we remember that we are clothed in the armor of God, because we belong to Him.

 

What's on your feet today?

 

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.........Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace."  (Ephesians 6:10, 14-15 ESV)

 

You might want to read the entire passage if you need a refresher about the armor of God:  Ephesians 6:10-19.