Keys to the Kingdom – by Carolyn Tucker
I was driving north on I-49 out of Nevada when I had to dodge a bouncing work boot that had just fallen out of the pickup ahead of me. A few miles back, this red truck had passed me hauling a load of luggage in the back. (I thought that was a bit unusual — normally I see fencing material, feed sacks, or a Blue Heeler in a truck bed.) I wanted to tell him that one of his important footwear just went AWOL, but I couldn’t help him. I felt so bad as I put myself in his shoes and thought about how he would feel when he realized he’d lost one of his boots.
Ephesians 6:15 NKJV tells us about the importance of spiritual footwear. “…and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;” The Apostle Paul is telling all Christians to put on the whole armor of God so we can stand against the devil. God has provided us with everything we need to be fully protected from the evil one (see Ephesians 6:10-18). We’re covered from head to toe when we wear all of God’s armor.
If believers don’t take advantage of the spiritual work boots God has given them, they’re missing a vital piece of armor called peace. My mother always told me, “Shoes make or break your outfit.” I’ve found that to be true; especially if you’ve got one shoe on and the other shoe off like Diddle Diddle Dumpling, my son John. If your boots fit firmly, then they’ll stay on your feet when you walk through the muddy times in life.
When the peace of God is working in your life, it protects you from going bonkers when the devil tries to hassle you. Even when the world is going crazy, you can keep marching forward with the assurance that God‘s shoes of peace never fail. “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7 NKJV). This peace is beyond human understanding and it’s a wonderful thing to experience. The world is searching for this kind of peace, but it‘s only found through a personal relationship with Jesus and trusting in all He‘s accomplished for you.
Just remember, if you’ve carelessly let your boots fly out the back of the truck, you obviously aren’t wearing them. If your shoes are sitting by the back door, then your feet are not shod with peace. You are responsible for putting on your spiritual footwear. Jesus spoke to the disciples when He was about to ascend back to heaven and said, “I am leaving you with a gift — peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid“ (John 14:27 NLT).
Jesus didn’t leave believers (then and now) just standing around barefoot and holding an empty bag. He left us with the marvelous gift of His peace. If you’re a Christian, but not experiencing His peace, then you need to open this wonderful present. Open the pages of the Bible and read what God’s Word says about peace, and then receive it for yourself.
The Key: These boots were made for walking…and these boots are gonna walk straight through the pearly gates.