While unpacking the contents of my shopping basket, I complimented the cashier on the bright pink she had woven into her braids. With a shy smile she thanked me. In silence we carried on with our “retail transaction” until she suddenly asked me: “My boyfriend is upset with me. What should I do?” And here I stand looking like a goldfish. A million things went through my mind at that moment, but the words just didn’t seem to come to my mouth. Apart from the few niceties we just exchanged, I didn'’t know this lady at all! I collected myself and asked: “Why is he upset with you?”
She told me that he did something to break her trust and now he is upset with her for being mad at him. Well, let me rather not tell what went through my mind at that particular moment and am so happy that those words didn’t reach my mouth. I pushed the thoughts away and we started talking about her worth as a woman and that she shouldn’t be sorry for her feelings, (she is entitled to them) and not to accept manipulation.
Shopping bag in hand I walked to my car. Still not sure what just happened, I went through it in my head again and I noticed a few things. It was during the lunch hour and she manned an express till. The queue was long and the shop was fairly busy. But not one person complained about waiting while we talked. Not one impatient grunt or moan. I felt at that moment, God paused time so we could finish our conversation. Divine intervention! Divine timing! Glory to God for using me at that specific moment!
Shopping bag in hand I walked to my car. Still not sure what just happened, I went through it in my head again and I noticed a few things. It was during the lunch hour and she manned an express till. The queue was long and the shop was fairly busy. But not one person complained about waiting while we talked. Not one impatient grunt or moan. I felt at that moment, God paused time so we could finish our conversation. Divine intervention! Divine timing! Glory to God for using me at that specific moment!
Isn’t this exactly what God expects from us? Being ready and prepared to share His time and love to whomever needs it, even if it catches us unaware. In fact, to emphasize the importance of this, God included it in the Spiritual Armor we put on when we become His children. “and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;” Ephesians 6:15. (I’m a boots girl. Every time I think of this verse, I imagine my spiritual feet to be shod with heeled red boots with which I can crush the head of the enemy. But that’s just me…) So what does it look like to have your feet shod? As described in the time when Paul wrote the Armor of God, these where strong leather sandals which were shod with iron spikes on the soles. (I think this was the first ever Hi-Tech trainers…). Soldiers had to be prepared for battle at any given time. |
Whether it was rocky, wet, sandy, muddy etc. The shod sandals gave them the ability to stand firm on any terrain. These were not the most comfortable shoes, they weren’t fashion statements. They walked or marched to their destinations. Feet shod. Prepared the entire time!
“And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near” Ephesians 2:17. Even Jesus and his disciples walked from town to town spreading the gospel of Truth. Not once was Jesus caught unaware or unprepared. We need to be prepared to take the Gospel anywhere and everywhere with us. Any place, any terrain. Feet shod. Prepared the entire time!
“And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near” Ephesians 2:17. Even Jesus and his disciples walked from town to town spreading the gospel of Truth. Not once was Jesus caught unaware or unprepared. We need to be prepared to take the Gospel anywhere and everywhere with us. Any place, any terrain. Feet shod. Prepared the entire time!
But let’s look at Paul for a moment. He was in jail. The ability to go freely and spread the gospel was taken away from him. But did his imprisonment stop him? He continued to spread the Good News and the Word of God by writing letters to the churches. (And today almost a third of the Bible) He was prepared and used what was available to him. We are very fortunate in South Africa to live freely in our faith. There are countries where you will be killed for admitting to be a believer and follower of Christ. Can you imagine, for talking about God or sitting in church, to be killed for that? Still prepared? If God would send you to North Korea, for example, where Christians are executed, still prepared? Let’s hit closer to home. Are you prepared to talk to the person next to you about Jesus? Your neighbor? The cashier? Your family? |
It sounds easy! Go out and conquer the world! But it's not. It takes perseverance through the uncomfortable marches and guts to walk with shod feet. To be prepared at all times, all conditions and all terrains. Therefor I pray: God bless the feet of those who are prepared to boldly step where You lead them.
Blessings,
Iriza xxx
Blessings,
Iriza xxx