Shoe

On the bottom of a shoe are treads. They help with grip and traction on whatever surface you're walking on. The first time I remember really being aware of them (or the lack of them) was when I was in Jerusalem walking the Via Dolorosa. I was in an old pair of comfortable running shoes. The entire trip I had no issues, but then we got to the smooth stone streets of the Holy City. As we began to climb hills following the traditional path of Jesus to the Calvary, I noticed that I was having a slightly difficult time walking up the hills. My feet were slipping because the treads had really worn down.

The Bible talks about shoes for combat in Ephesians 6. They are part of the armor of God. The shoes described here were inspired by the sandals worn by Roman soldiers. Their sandals had metal tacks sticking out of the bottom that functioned like athletic cleats today. They gave the solider sure footing as they marched and fought in battles. The sandals were of great importance.

Paul says that we are to cover our feet with the Gospel of Peace. Time spent in the Bible gives us peace of mind that our footing is sure. Time spent in the Bible gives us assurance when life gets hard. Filling our minds with the truth and promises of Scripture allows us to be prepared for life.

The treads on your shoes function the same way, but they don't work as well as they should if they are worn down. In the same way the Bible can't be fully functional for us if it's been a long time since we've spent any time in it. If we only have Genesis 1.1 and John 3.16 committed to memory, that won't do much good. Make sure your treads are in good condition, both physically and Spiritually.

Peace be with you