Stand your ground … For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News … Ephesians 6:14-15
Week 2, Day 4
I sat on the front steps with my daughter, Cecile while we both put on our running shoes. I stared at my bare feet: caluses on the big toe, a blood blister on the left foot where my shoes rubbed. As I surveyed them, they looked like runner’s feet. I remembered staring at my legs after my morning shower and thinking, They’re beginning to look like a runners legs. My family had kidded me for at least three years because I had no bulging calf muscles. But my legs has gradually changed in shape - not only the calf muscles showed but there was no trace of flab anywhere.
As she saw me staring at my feet. Cecile said, as if reading my mind. “Your legs make you look like a runner. There is a beautiful shape to them. “
Then I thought of the verse in Isiah which says, “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings in the news of peace …” (Isaiah 52:7).
Immediately a picture flashed into my mind. In the biblical days and long before rapid forms of communication such as phones and telegraphs, runners carried important messages from town to town. Often the king awaited news from battle, and a messenger ran across the plains to deliver the word of victory or defeat.
I envisioned myself as the one running, surging over the hill and valleys of Palestine, skipping over rocks and speeding up over the grassy plain. Nothing slowed me downs. As i approached a village , I yelled, “Good news!” Crowds formed along the road as I passed. With only the barest decrease in speed I yelled out, “Good news! God loves you! Jesus Christ died for you! Live Forever!” The crowds cheered as I disappeared from view.
Then I looked downs at my slightly misshapen feet again. To a non runner, there’s nothing attractive about calluses. To me they were beautiful. The bore the marks of running up and down hills and across paved roads. Maybe I wasn’t yelling the good news of love as I ran. But in my heart the sense of God’s presence and God’s love was there.
Not only are my feet beautiful. I’m beautiful all over - and so are you - because we’re his creation.
Loving God, thank you that I am beautiful - every part of me. Amen.
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