Monday, January 7, 2013

SHOE STORY


Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. (Ephesians 6:13-16)

(Adapted from a booklet written by Evangelist, E.J. Daniels)
A traveling salesman arrives in an average northern city for a business meeting on a cold December day. He observes people everywhere (from the rich to the poor) walking around the city barefooted -----bruised feet, limping people everywhere he looks.

He checks in to a plush, downtown hotel – the doorman in his sharp, military uniform….barefooted. He’s assisted by bellboys….barefooted and escorted to the check-in area/front desk only to find the people at the front desk clerks ….barefooted. Business associates (from the town) are also arriving for the business luncheon….barefooted.

The Salesman retires to his room to get dressed and quickly returns to find himself seated by an older, distinguished gentleman….barefooted.  The obvious occurs.  Why are there no “shoes” being worn?  The older man responds with how he used to wear “shoes” but that somehow the importance of wearing “shoes” just faded through the years.  He felt like they should be worn and knew they would certainly help but no one else wore them………..

Puzzled by the strange discussion and no “shoes” anywhere, the salesman took a walk that afternoon. He saw beautiful buildings all around and noticed a janitor sweeping on the steps of one of the beautiful buildings…barefooted.

He struck up a conversation with the Janitor and asked, “What is this building?”
To the salesman’s amazement the man said (you guessed it), “It’s a shoe factory.”
            “Are no shoes made here?” the salesman asked.
            The man answered quickly… “NO!”
            “People still come here occasionally and talk about making shoes; sing of the glory of the shoes; and meditate and plan about “new ways” to make them.  In fact all the businesses close on the first day of every week and come to hear about making shoes; the care of shoes; telling others about “shoes”….but there aren’t any shoes made.

            Again, the salesman became curious…..what strange people!
            He continued walking around the town until he found a small, little shop where an old cobbler was making “shoes” ever so carefully and tenderly.  The salesman asked the old cobbler, “Who wears the “shoes” you make?  The old cobbler said, “People think about “shoes” on several occasions: at weddings, at Christenings/baptisms (the shoes are removed quickly), funerals (even those who’ve hated shoes wear them in death)…..

            The salesman took the old cobbler to lunch and continued visiting about “shoes”.  He purchased shoes for the old cobbler. His were worn, his feet were bruised and old. He hadn’t worn them in a long time….

            The old cobbler was grateful but hesitated to wear them because the other people, richer, more worthy; were not wearing them and if he wore them he’d be considered a “shoe fanatic”!

This story speaks to several issues:
1)        People make excuses to not wear their Christian shoes (Or live for the Lord)
2)        It’s uncomfortable to live for Jesus in many situations
3)        We are embarrassed to live for Christ (Romans 1:16)
4)        Styles may change / Jesus is always the same (Hebrews 13:8)
            More analogies can be made….

There is a big difference between “shoes” and Christianity…..Shoes can be put on and taken off but Christ can’t. You just can’t “try on” Christianity to see if it “fits”.

I guarantee you can’t be a Christian without having Jesus in your heart/life. Some have tried to live the Christian life apart from Jesus…impossible; doomed to failure.

Jesus gave Himself to the “Point of no turning back”. He asks for the same commitment from us.

Scripture to Claim:
Watch the path of your feet And all your ways will be established. (Proverbs 4:26)

Submitted By Gary Wood

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