Are you beginning to feel well-dressed for this warfare that we are part of, whether we want to be or not? We have put on Christ as our basic clothing, added the helmet of salvation to cover our mind, the breastplate of righteousness to cover our heart, secured that with the belt of truth, which is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and now we are looking to our feet. Where are we walking, and how are we walking?
Interestingly enough, what I thought was on our feet is slightly different to what Paul actually says to the Christians at Ephesus:
“…with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.”
Shoes That Fit
First, our feet are covered with shoes that fit, and I wonder if this means they may be different for different people. Whatever God has placed in your life as your calling, the shoes He provides will be the right fit for the walk you are on. Think about the different shoes people wear for different tasks: the runner with lightweight well-fitted shoes; the hiker with flexible but sturdy boots; or the industrial worker with steel capped shoes for safety. And what about the shoes in your closet: boots for winter wear; tennis shoes for everyday; sandals for summer; flips for all weathers if you are my daughter; special shoes for the mother of the bride or the bride herself; slippers for the comfort of home; rubber boots or clogs for the garden…I could go on.
Every one of us has been gifted by the Spirit for different purposes. The calling on your life, the place where you live, your family, your neighborhood, and your workplace will all call for different responses. Peter assures us that God has already given us everything we need for a godly life. 2 Peter 1:3 You have what you need to walk in your world today.
Being Ready
Then, this word “readiness” which is also translated as “preparation”. What are we preparing for? And that readiness comes from the gospel of peace. What are we learning from the gospel of peace that readies us for what will happen in our daily lives? Peter tells us, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” 1 Peter 3:15
I find that fascinating! Yes, be ready, but look at how you are to speak…sounds like what you are sharing is the gospel of peace!
Paul also told us, “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:6 We discussed salt when we were looking at the Sermon on the Mount. There is a reminder here that salt needs to be added carefully! Too much makes things unpalatable. We need just enough “salt” to make what we share enjoyable to the person we are sharing with, to lift their understanding of God and His love. No short order!
The Gospel of Peace
What do we understand about the “gospel of peace”? Gospel of course means good news, but it is interesting that the good news we are to be sharing is of peace.
First, let’s look at Jesus.
The angels announced his coming as “on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.” Luke 2:14.
Jesus Himself promised us peace. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 “I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace” John 16:33
Paul wrote of peace. “We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1 Peace is one of the fruits of the Spirit Galatians 5:22
“He Himself is our peace...” Ephesians 2:14
“And the peace of God that transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ..And the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:7,9
“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. “
2 Thessalonians 3:16
Any of these verses would be good to sit with and meditate on. In our busy, distracted, often confusing world, we need to respond to these invitations. And consider how to make the way we walk in our world also a way of bringing peace.
Peace in our World
Last week, we welcomed into our home a 1-year-old Golden Retriever who had come from an abusive background and had been living in several different places before coming to us as his foster home. Our instructions as foster parents were to keep the first three days as low key as possible—peace for the dog as he adjusted to yet another new situation. We were to consider what the dog had been through in the past month or so, that everything is NEW to him…including us, our home, our car smells, routines etc. We were to be patient. We read about decompression: helping the dog to adjust to a new life. We were instructed to keep his world small—only the people in our immediate family and not even to trust him in our fenced yard! It quickly became obvious how important this was. Any change in our presence, any unusual noises, and he was on high alert. I realized how important keeping my energy low helped him. Being quiet, being gentle, responding rather than reacting when he did things that weren’t helpful…a good challenge!
Peace in your World
That is an unusual situation. But I wonder how many times we can change what is happening around us by being peaceful, maybe by walking into a room full of people and intentionally being low key and quiet. Or, during a disagreement with someone, choosing to stay calm and gentle.
Remember that this is another piece of armor against the principalities and powers in our world! I am sure peace is not on the enemy’s agenda, but rather conflict and warfare, of which there is an abundance in our world today.
This why the way we walk is so important. You may feel your world is so small that how you act doesn’t make a difference. Open yourself to the possibility that you are making a difference and be aware that there is a battle you are in, even in your small world, to disturb the peace! How you respond to the challenges you face can change the atmosphere for the others in your world and overcome the enemy tactics! You are surrounded by a crowd of witnesses, by angels on assignments to help you be victorious. Walk with courage and celebration of the victories!
The prophet Isaiah said so profoundly:
"How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace,
who bring good tidings,
whop proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion,
'Your God reigns!'"
Be part of the beauty God is revealing to the world He loves so much
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