Do you have a favorite pair of shoes? You’ve worn them so often that they’ve lost that perfect fit. Perhaps the lining has loosened and rubs against your skin causing irritation and maybe even pain. The fashion conscious may have purchased shoes that were in style but too tight; you just had to have them. Your plan was to stretch them out during short painful walks.
What are you willing to sacrifice to wear them?
This past weekend I wore flats – not the comfortable ones, but the ones that offer little support for my feet. Reason: they matched my outfit; the others did not. I paid the price – twisted my ankle and found myself giving up on impromptu shopping and I limped out of the store. Humbled – knowing the answer in advance – I asked my husband, “Will you carry me?” Seriously? Not wise for either of us – would probably have resulted in a visit to ER.
Back to you…
What’s in your shoe? Your life? What are you tolerating?
What’s keeping you from the life you long to live – the adventures you want go on?
What are you willing to sacrifice to hold on to your current circumstance?
How uncomfortable is your comfort zone?
Does God Care About Our Shoes?
Well, the Bible tells us that He cares about our feet. Stay with me this will all make sense…
In Matthew 28:19-20 he commands us (not merely a suggestion) to “…Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you…” We can interpret “go” to mean action – get it done.
I pause here to remind you that this command is for all believers and does not have any built-in excuses – like sore feet.
More about the feet…
In the Old Testament we read: “How beautiful upon the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”” Isaiah 52:7
In the New Testament we read: “And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!”” Romans 10:15
You Have Been Sent.
“Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”
We have been commissioned, set apart, sent out with a mission to fulfill. We have been equipped and dispatched with the full backing and authority of the sender.
Take a moment to let this sit in your spirit… with the full backing and authority of the sender.
What’s Keeping Us?
Humbled I join with those who have connected with this message. How many times have we come up with ridiculous excuses for not pressing in to our calling – to what we know God has asked us to do? Are we looking for a grandiose calling perhaps? Have we ignored the basics of what we’ve been called to do?
Share the gospel. Tell your story. How many times have we heard the words “you may be the only bible someone reads”?
One of My Ah-ha Stories…
As I write this post today, I am reminded of the first time someone shared Romans 10:15 with me “Blessed are the feet…” I was about to serve on a Kairos Prison Ministry Women’s Weekend retreat at Coleman Workcamp Prison . God called me to prison ministry twenty years ago. At the time I did not see it as a calling. It was something I was willing to do while I waited for my “real” calling. I was convinced that God had called me to speak to large groups of women – never imagined they would be behind the razor wire.
After the first 10 years of serving and waiting, someone introduced me as someone who was in prison ministry. Shocked, I asked why she thought that. She laughed. “What have you been doing for the past 10 years?” <<sigh>>
What Are You Willing to Sacrifice?
Whether you are waiting for your calling or walking fully in your purpose, God is reminding us to “Stand firm… with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” Eph 6:14
Let’s stop holding on to what no longer belongs in our story. Join me in calling out the nonsense: Fear, uncertainty and doubt! Be gone in Jesus’ Name! Holy Spirit release the power of hope and calling in our lives!
If we are willing to be uncomfortable for a pair of shoes, how much more uncomfortable are we willing to be for the things of God – His purposes?
Coach Maggie – Helping You Be You
Photo by Jaclyn Moy
Maggie Sabatier-Smith
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