An African American spiritual declares “I got shoes, you got shoes, all of God’s childr’n got shoes . . .” The song is not based on Ephesians 6:10-20, but the writer’s instruction about selecting footwear reminds us, as the spiritual says: we all got shoes!

For most of us, a first glance at Ephesians 6 will not start a consideration of our footwear. But tucked in the middle of this passage, which calls followers of Jesus to be prepared for spiritual battle against the forces of evil, the writer instructs his readers: “As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace” (verse 15).

When it comes to footwear there is a surprising amount of freedom in “whatever will make you ready,” so presumably boots, sandals, sports shoes, dance, or dress shoes are all fair game for bringing the gospel of peace of Jesus. What shoes do you wear on a daily or weekly basis? What places do the shoes take you? What word of peace might be needed in those places?

Pastor Amy offered a reflection on the shoes she wears and the places where they take her as she attempts to bring Christ’s gospel of peace to this world!

The history of the church is filled with examples of ways in which people attempting to follow Jesus have strapped on weapons of war in order to harm others in the name of faithfulness. But the gospel of Jesus is a gospel of peace that reveals the all-embracing love of God for creation. The good news of Jesus reveals itself most fully when Jesus is crucified on a cross to redeem and restore all creation to God.

Ephesians 6 reminds us that Christ’s gospel of peace needs all of us, all of our shoes, and all of the places where our shoes take us! And the shoes we wear serve as a reminder each and every day that the gospel of peace first comes to us and begins the work of defeating the forces of evil in the places where our feet our own feet are planted!