You may not realize it, but your shoes started defining you early in life. As a kid it was sneakers-or sneaks, and then as you got into first grade it was the first big decision-P.F. Flyers or U.S. Keds. Then the next pair increased the choices-black or white, and high or low tops? And then you got to junior high school-and encountered the most hallowed ground in it-the gym floor. Where no street shoes were allowed, so you trashed your white socks or wore sneakers. And if you played sports it was Converse All Stars, we never called them Cons then. And the choice of the cool players was high top white, where you could write your name in marker down the back, and show off the cool All Star label on the inside of your ankle. Still sneakers-only purpose built. And as my friend Larry, who works for Converse says, he can get you any color as long as it isn't black or white-he jokes. As you can get them in plaid, pink, blue, as sandals, and with skulls. And you can still wear them on that hallowed ground at school.
Now I don't think of myself as sophisticated, but last week at California Speedway for the WERA races, I noted the racers wearing their expensive race boots. Custom tailored and obviously engineered for speed and comfort-take a trip in sneakers and see how your arches hurt-you need support for putting your feet on the pegs-they were plastic, leather, in bright colors and some even were tapered aerodynamically at the heel. I am not sure how far we have come, but I cannot picture Dick Mann and Gary Nixon in them. I never saw Cal Rayborn wearing designer boots, and you didn't see them in On Any Sunday. But this Sunday, and other Sundays, if style and matching boots wins races, more power to them.
Seems we live in a specialty world, influenced by design. Just looking in my wife's closet she has warm up shoes, running shoes, walking shoes, crossovers-whatever that means, and tennis shoes-sneakers to those raised back east-each with a purpose, and all looking the same to me. And it reminds me of another battle for men's souls. And how confusing it can be.
Tell me how I get to heaven, please. Simply put, believe in your heart, and confess with your mouth, Jesus died for your sins, and was raised again, and you are saved. That's it-even says so in the Bible. But yet when talking with other Christians, questions like where do you go to church, how do you baptize, and do you believe in works for salvation come up. Designer gospel-not in the Bible, but designed by man to make himself look better. Or you worse. If I believe, but you have a list of good works-you must be better. And if your church has more services, a pastor called reverend, and a paid organist-well you must really be spiritual. I can tell by the way you talk-it's all about you!
Stop and think. None of that makes you more spiritual-in fact it takes away from Jesus, who in everything He did pointed to God. Does your church point to Jesus, or to works? Or to the pastor? Or to the fact of how great a job they are doing in the community? You may be surprised to find God looks dimly on such things. If it's not all about Jesus, He tells you that you are in sin. You cannot serve two masters, and your double mindedness will cause you to stumble. And who wants to stumble, particularly in your new sneakers?
Take a look around, and if your fellowship has more style than scripture, ask God what to do. Then when He answers, do it. Seek Him first, then all things will be added. And consider this, if we are supposed to be of one spirit, and one accord-how do we look to the non-saved when we bicker over petty differences? We are supposed to stand out from the world by our love, not our denominational feuds. Maybe we all need to take off our street shoes, and stand on holy ground, together. Take the hand next to you and pray for that person. And then the one on the other side. And show love to all within the place. And then take it outside. And maybe, you will find we are all the same in Christ, yet individual enough to be different.
Jesus Christ-always in style, and always the right thing at the right time. Try Him out today, and find that the battle for your soul has been won, in fact we have been celebrating it for 2000 years. Grab onto Him, and stand on holy ground, no matter the soles of your shoes, and enjoy freedom-with mercy and grace mixed in. Love with a heavenly design, and not soon to go out of style.
See you in church-sneakers welcome. No fancy style needed here-be yourself in Jesus. High tops optional.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com