I don’t always believe in my bones. It seems my faith is only as strong as my weakest think. Because I broke my heel, years ago, walking and standing are sometimes a sort of teeter-totter affair. Balance, mobility, pain levels are all affected by good foot wear. For me, the ‘shoes of peace’ is a very literal Bible translation.
In the fifth chapter of Ephesians Paul urges us to walk in Love, (5:2), walk in Light (5:8) and in Wisdom (5:15). I’m not sure the apostle would appreciate RUN DMC/Aerosmith’s “Walk this Way” as a sound track to his advice but life changes often stick better with a killer riff. Dancing in the Spirit is certainly part of taking the Kingdom to the street. It shouldn’t come as a big surprise that the Gospel, the Good News, is meant to be hip. Happy, Inspired, and Personal. If Jesus can’t get us excited the consequences are grave indeed.
Putting my best foot forward is often a case of ‘finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.’ (5:10) and relating peaceably to folks who are at least as difficult to love as I am is the modern day arena where Christians get a chance to tumble with the lions of pride, prejudice, and politics. Anytime is a great time to represent the Prince of Peace. His starting/parting words to us are, “My Peace I give you!” The clamor of the horde, like the groan of all creation, is waiting for us to share it. We’re living on the edge and the boundaries we artificially construct between us are the sad definition of our fellowship, brotherhood, and reception of Christ’s invitation to join Our Father’s family.
we’re living on the edge’A simple hello in line at the grocery store, an offer to help a neighbor move, a heartfelt talk, a handshake, a hero’s welcome to a spouse returning from work, or a hug for a caregiver, can all be part of being an instrument of Christ’s peace. The way we play it out carries more weight than what we say about it. It’s one foot in front of the other as He lights our path. He says, “I am the Way” and asks us to follow Him like a drum beating with the heart of God.
