Whenever we dress well and are ready to step outside our house, our eyes search for our footwear. I am surprised that the Bible speaks about this too. Once, when we met with our pastor as a church, an elder in the group said, "This particular work in the church is supposed to be done by the ministers of God." Immediately, our pastor asked, "Then who are you all?" I was stunned. God expects each of us to be His missionary. Wherever we work, He expects us to be carriers of hope and love. Some say we are the only Bible others read.
So, when we go out to preach or to do our daily work, the Bible expects us to wear sandals/shoes and be ready for the journey ahead. Why do we wear sandals, generally? To protect us from unseen bacteria and viruses that can enter our bodies through our feet as we explore the outside world. We might step into stagnant water, unclean things scattered on the street, or even prickly thorns. To guard ourselves, we wear footwear. Similarly, when we go outside to face everyday life, it’s important to be prepared.
Before every Sunday, the pastors at our church have two hours of prayer together. Before we preach the Gospel, we should be prepared; we should pray at least an hour. The Bible lists this “sandal” as a weapon we wear as God's soldiers.
Ephesians 6:15 says, "and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace." Another version goes like this, Ephesians 6:15 says, "and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace".
Hey, friend, let’s read our Bible and stand in God's presence before we step outside. May we enter each day with the Good News, with peace in our hearts that fills us when we stay in His presence. How does God see us? He sees us as carriers of the Good News. Romans 10:15 says:
“As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!’”
May God see our feet as beautiful unto Him. May we bring joy to His unconditionally loving heart.
Dear God, protect us today as we carry Your hope-filled words to the world we live in. May we reach out in peace, in readiness, in love. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
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