Impact Christian Church

Don’t Leave Home Without Them

It was a Monday morning and once again I had left my Bible in the car. The weather was warm and spring was “springing” so I shuffled out to the driveway in my bare feet.  My goal was to retrieve my Bible and return to a hot cup of coffee with God. Part way down the driveway I remembered how sensitive our feet are.  Every little stone or woodchip felt like a spike piercing the souls of my feet.  Part of me wanted to retreat and give up, but I was almost there. I snatched my Bible from the front seat and high stepped back inside.  Why do we do that goofy shoulder shrugging with every step whenever we walk on sharp stones, it never helps the pain.  Once back inside I was prompted to turn to the passage in Ephesians where Paul talks about putting on the “armor of God”. (Ephesians 6:14-16)  In verse 15, Paul says we need to “have our feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace”. Paul wanted the Christian to be ready to spread the good news. But this particular morning I really understood what he meant.

I thought about the walk out to my car to retrieve my Bible.  If I had prepared my feet with the proper covering I would have had no problem completing my mission and returning home focused ready to read.  Instead my feet were not prepared and the ground surface hindered my plans and robbed me of my focus.

Likewise, as Christians our mission is to battle the spiritual attacks waged against us as we march towards eternity.  Saving all the sin scared humanity we come across along the way is part of that mission. Often times we become distracted and paralyzed by the small jabs of guilt and disappointment that line the paths of life.  The gospel of peace is what Jesus gives us to walk unwavering when agitations, doubt and fear make our roadways appear impassable.  Jesus said to the disciples in John 14:27 (New Living)

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

The gospel of peace is a “gift” from God to guard our hearts and minds as we press on through life’s spiritual warfare. But have you opened the gift? Have you actually tried it on? When we slip our feet into the good news that we are secure in God’s love and grace we are able to absorb the rough road conditions of life. Like a good pair of cross trainers this truth helps to keep our heads up and alert, ready to focus on the real mission in front of us. No more high stepping shoulder shrugging and staring at the ground in front of you while unsaved friends and family lay wounded by the trail! The peace of Christ is available! Put on the shoes soldier!

Ephesians 2:13-14 (New Century Version)

But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away from God are brought near through the blood of Christ's death. Christ himself is our peace.