Every Tuesday we engage in one big question, topic or idea. You are invited to write in with a suggestion you want to share. I surely do not have all the answers but know that together we can generate some great conversation and have fun in the process. (Feel free to post your topics, questions, and your great thoughts in the comments below!) Together, we will stay informed and equipped about topics that matter!
Tuesday Talk topic for this week: The Armor of God (A 7 week series)
In the book of Ephesians the apostle Paul uses the illustration of armor to teach us how to live Jesus lives and bring peace, love, and joy to a broken world.
Every Tuesday for the next 7 weeks we will examine what it means to put on each piece of the armor of God. Did you know you are a warrior woman! Jump in and join the conversation. You are valuable and loved.
Paul wrote, “Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” (Ephesians 6:11-17 NLT).
In today’s blog, We will talk specifically about our foundation – our feet. Paul says to put on the shoes of peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared to fight (Ephesians 6:15 NLT).
What kind of shoes are you wearing? Do you wear the shoes of peace or do you wear combat boots?
Sometimes, I find myself igniting conversation only for the personal sake of proving my point. Righteous or justice driven it doesn’t matter, I want my point to be made and my voice to be heard. I believe my words will be more powerful than my silence. But somehow, that never turns out to be the case.
Why isn’t my point heard? That is what I want to know.
Words have power. When we put on our combat boots, we are wearing the wrong pair of shoes.
My shoes of combat are characterized by my desire to explain, justify or teach my beliefs. Complain, defend or excuse myself. None of these attributes bring people into unity and relationship with a desire to know Jesus because none are of His character.
If I wear the shoes of peace, my shoes have the ability to heal and to encourage. To show love and respect for people around me, affirming that they are a masterpiece of God and on their own personal journey.
Consider these questions:
What is your motivation for wearing combat boots?
Does your desire to be heard over-ride your ability to have a home of peace?
What are you missing in your home, or life, or your marriage that makes you feel the need to be heard?
The battle rages in the mind (Colossians 3:2, Romans 12:2). What are you doing to protect your mind from the negative thoughts that are leading you to wearing your combat boots?
Decide today to be a warrior woman of God who wears shoes of peace. Do you have someone you can be accountable to?
Katie
September 9, 2014I love this! I’ve heard a million explanations on the shoes of peace but this one was unique. The peace shoes vs combat boots was a great analogy! Thank you!
Randall
October 26, 2014I’d like to think combat boots don’t have to mean something other than the opposite of the peace shoes. I kind of love wearing them. But I get what you mean too.