Essential #4 Illumination

For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. [Ephesians 6:15]

Most women love shoes so this one should be fun! However, I am the barefoot girl; and I don’t even know if I could find a matching pair of flip-flops right now if I needed them. As you can see, I’m not planning on going outside today as there are several inches of fresh snow this morning.

There are several types of shoes that women wear from flip flops, high heels, boots, casual shoes, sneakers, to stilettos. What is the obsession with shoes? The beauty is you can choose to wear whatever shoe style you like. If I were to go outside obviously flip-flops wouldn’t be the best shoe choice for today.

But what about our spiritual shoes that are being talked about in Ephesians 6:15, what type of shoes are those? First, let me read the passage of Ephesians 6:10-15.

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  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.

Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. (Essential #1 Navigation) 

 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth (Essential #2 Sun protection)

The body armor of God’s righteousness. (Essential #3 Insulation) 

For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. (Essential #4 Illumination). [Ephesians 6:15]

Now these are shoes I’m excited to put on. Putting on these shoes as a believer gives us the privilege and ability to walk in complete peace. There is nothing like walking in the peace of God regardless of what is happening in our lives.

God’s peace is like nothing that a partner, a friend, a man, a family member, money in the bank, a 401K, or anything in the world can provide. As a child of God, there is peace knowing that no matter what happens in this world, to the economy, no matter what the government does, what other people to do hurt us, or whatever circumstances in life come our way; God will prevail. God will provide. God will be there. God will love and protect us through anything and everything. We will have a peace that is not explainable during our pain.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. [Philippians 4:7]

I just love this verse, and it truly is a peace that exceeds anything we can understand. Let me give you an example.

For those of you who are dog lovers, you will relate to part of this story. My Angel girl was a dog that I had for a little over twenty years. As a single woman, she was my child, and went everywhere with me. If you saw me, there was Angel. She was a search and rescue dog and her specialty was avalanche rescue. She lived a very full life of hiking, biking, skiing, and living the mountain life. One morning I woke up and she could no longer walk or function, and it was then I knew I had to put her down.  To be honest it was the most difficult thing I have ever done in my life. But during this entire process as much pain I was in, I can’t explain the peace and comfort I felt. It was like the Lord had a virtual blanket and hugs all around me. This peace is not a false peace or temporary it is real. And it is exactly what the Lord has promised us.

So as part of our armor and one of the critical ten essentials is putting on the shoes of peace. Take hold of the scriptures where God promises peace. Peace is also an essential illumination (flashlight/headlamp). Meaning I personally make decisions based on having peace or go another direction when there is a lack of peace. Women have been given a powerful inner knowing, which is the Holy Spirit guiding us.

I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. [Ephesians 3:16-19]

I’m not sure in this worldly life that we will ever understand or comprehend the depth of peace and love that the Lord gives us. For many years of my Christian walk I had no clue what this peace meant. I didn’t always feel peace no matter how much I prayed or would read the word. It’s something that is freely given, however, I think it may take some time for us to grow in Christ enough that we can receive it.

Before I lost Angel, I spent a lot of time alone with the Lord, on walks with Angel, in the Word, and praying for that peace. Thankfully, I did have it by the time that I lost her and still now no matter what life throws at me, there is ALWAYS peace. It’s not something that you receive automatically, I believe that it does come with the depth of the relationship that you have with the Lord. Based on your prayer time, time, and quality in the Word, and seeking to receive ALL that God has promised us.

One of the greatest promises is peace. Putting on the shoes of peace gives us illumination, it’s a light to our paths and gives us guidance in every decision and every choice that we make. This guidance is one of the best gifts that we have been given which is the Holy Spirit.

But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative that is, the Holy Spirit he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. I am leaving you with a gift of 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 14:26-27]

When these scriptures were written the Roman sandals were made with nails that gripped the ground firmly even when it was sloping or slippery. The sandals were a sign of readiness, a readiness to march and to do battle. When they put on these sandals they were going into battle. In this physical battle, the shoes that the soldiers wore were necessary. Remember, without every essential, we are almost naked, so spiritually speaking I do not want to leave home without putting on those shoes of peace. (read again the scripture at top).

So, in review putting on the shoes of peace gives us illumination (flashlight/headlamp). This is making decisions based on the peace we have. This peace and wisdom are given to us by the Holy Spirit. Thank you, Lord, for this, and thank you Lord I now know how to tap into this. Because even as a believer I have made some really stupid decisions because I violated this principle. Always go with what we as women know as intuition because it’s the Holy Spirit’s power and wisdom within us!! 😊

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. [Proverbs 3:5-7]

Putting on the shoes of peace (flashlight/headlamp) gives us peace no matter what is happening in our lives. We can have peace through all the crap the devil is throwing at us, but also remember we don’t just have protection we have the ability to FIGHT the attacks also. You don’t have to succumb to sickness, devastation, loss, or poverty. We have been given the authority and the power to take the devil out.

Yes, we have more control over things than some of us realize. The Lord has given us all the same power that Jesus had to cast out demons, heal the sick, and raise people from the dead. Now again, just like the peace that has been freely given to us, this authority and power has also been given to us. It takes a level of spiritual maturity, belief, and a strong personal relationship with the Lord to walk with this authority. But sister it’s within you -its already has been given to you, this is part of your inheritance as a priced Child of God!!!

Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. [Luke 10:19]

I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father.  Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it! [John 14:12-14]

One final thing to put on the shoes of peace is being ready at all times to do what the Lord has called us to do. Be ready to move, walk, run!

We should not only be ready to share the scriptures and the good news, but we need to walk the walk. Whether we are barefoot, in high heels, ski boots, hiking boots, flip flops, sneakers, running shoes, or military boots we need to be ready to go wherever the Lord may lead us. Talk to people we don’t want to talk to. Pray with people we don’t necessarily want to pray for. And maybe even give something or do something for someone we don’t even know.

Essential Four with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Be ready any time to go anywhere that God wants us to go and carry with us the peace the world is searching for.

For this week’s study, memorize one or more of the verses above. Have them in your heart and mind so that you can call them up when you need them.