Readiness

Read: Romans 10:14-15

. . . and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. (Eph. 6:15)

You don’t wear high heels to the beach or flip-flops to a formal dinner. Footwear appropriate to the occasion is second nature to most of us. But what is this phrase “the gospel of peace” doing in God’s armory?

We tend to think of peace as the absence of war, but the Bible’s concept of peace (shalom) includes far more than just an absence of fighting or discord. That word conveys the idea of wholeness, complete health and well-being, and ultimate perfection.

Our feet are shod with the “good news” (euangelion) of this quality of shalom, which is the fullness, well-being, and perfection of Christ himself. As a result, our shoes are fit for any gospel endeavor. When we need to persevere as witnesses and “run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Heb. 12:1) we have state of the art running shoes; when we have a difficult kingdom task to perform, they become steel-tipped work boots; when working out our story they’re the finest cross-trainers. Think of gospel shoes as the good news of peace of mind even in the midst of the battle.

Knowing that we have this gift, knowing that in the end “all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well” (Julian of Norwich), we can be bold to let our feet take us wherever God leads us, to do whatever he calls us to do.

As you pray, ask God to comfort you with the words of Isaiah 26:3: “You will keep them in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you.”