My reading plan today had me reading Ephesians 6:10-20, but it was this one verse that made me stop and read it again. In fact, I was compelled to read over and over again.
The NIV translation I was using said it this way:
“and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes
from the gospel of peace.”
Readiness. Ready for what? It
sounds like I'm being to told to get my shoes on and be ready to go. I needed more insight, so I began to do some
research, which is when I found this:
“The Gospel is so called,
because it makes men to be of peaceable tempers and behavior, and gives peace
to distressed minds: it directs the way to eternal peace,”
---John
Gill's Exposition of the Bible
There were lots of other expositions and commentaries that had similar thoughts or even other thoughts. But today, these words of John Gill rang true to my heart. It put into words the reality of my life in a way that I had not been able to before.
“gives peace to a
distressed mind”
You don’t need to know
what has my mind distressed today. That’s
not what matters.
The truth and power of
this scripture is what matters.
There is every reason in
this ‘world’ for my husband and me to be distressed about our situation. Friends
and family that are aware of our circumstances and recent turn of events wonder
why we aren’t showing the outward signs of a distressed response to the circumstances of our life.
I’ve struggled to give an
answer, lamely repeating words that usually just confuse them even more….”we have the peace of Christ”.
I think many people hear
that and assume it means that we are in denial of the circumstances and choose
to look away from reality. But the words
of this commentator said it perfectly.
I do have a distressed
mind. I’m not blind to the circumstances
we are facing. I’m not ignorant of the
consequences of these circumstances if things don’t change. And I’m not blind to the fact that there does
not appear to be any source of significant change on the horizon.
Yes…my mind thinks of all
of these things.
It is, by every
definition of the words ~ a distressed mind.
But the gospel of Christ
gives that mind of mine something I cannot give it myself.
Peace.
Like a blanket thrown over
a shivering child; the cold does not go away, but the covering of the blanket
warms her.
Yah…it’s like that.
The circumstances and
situation have not gone away, but the blanket gives me REAL peace.
Overcoming Peace!
In our world, peace can be such a passive word. But in God's world, peace is a powerful word; an active word. The peace of the Gospel of Christ moves us forward when our distressed mind wants to stop us in our tracks. The enemy wants to use our distressed mind to paralyze us with fear.
God gives us a peace so powerful,
Therefore, it is so very appropriate that Ephesians 6:15 talks about shoes, not blankets! Life on earth is a
journey. Daily we are called to get up
and walk with God. There are days when
the path is smooth, and there are days when it's rough. There are even days when it is so filled with
rocks and pot holes we can barely keep our balance.
So we put on our
shoes. With shoes we can withstand the
rough terrain. With shoes we can walk
more surely when the path is unstable.
Which is why it is vital that daily I come to His table so He can fit me with the Gospel Shoes I need for this day.
And so, with Gospel shoes
on my feet, I walk in peace even when my mind is distressed.
I know it.
I believe it.
I’m living it…one hour at
a time.
I smile about it.
I have joy about it.
I love living in it.
I’d rather walk like this,
than with bare feet on my own.
Prayer:
Lord God, thank You. I have no elaborate words of praise to shower You with today. But my word of thanks comes flowing from an overwhelmingly grateful heart. May You receive this humble offering of praise just as it is presented; simply stated from a pure response to Your overcoming peace. Yes Lord..OVERCOMING PEACE. Not a peace that causes me to run and hide from the challenges of life, but a peace that empowers me to walk in the strength of Your word and Your promises. Thanks for putting my shoes on for me today as I came to sit at Your table. I confess that I came with bare feet, but I'm stepping out today with feet fitted with readiness. I love You Lord, and I come before You in the name of my Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Our recipe today is for Overcoming Peace
The ingredients are from Ephesians 6:15
The directions are to let God fit your feet with readiness found in the overcoming power of the gospel of peace. {click to tweet)
The ingredients are from Ephesians 6:15
The directions are to let God fit your feet with readiness found in the overcoming power of the gospel of peace. {click to tweet)
{CLICK HERE for a printable version of today's recipe for the soul. Make notes on it of how God is speaking to you today, and carry it with you to feed your soul as needed.}
Other conversations held at His table that may feed your soul today...
Confidently Trusting God
Fearless Living
Do You Really Trust Me?
I'd love to have you at the table each time I pull up a chair.
If you don't already, won't you join us?
Confidently Trusting God
Fearless Living
Do You Really Trust Me?
I'd love to have you at the table each time I pull up a chair.
If you don't already, won't you join us?
Just click the link above, submit your email address and then
be sure to click the 'verify' link when the email is sent to your inbox.
After that, I'll be saving you a chair at the table!
God Bless and Keep You,
Copyright© 2013 Feeding a Hungry Soul
For more time at His table, try visiting these blogs
where I like to link up in fellowship with other followers of Christ.
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| A word of encouragement? A note to say 'hey'? Just click comments below...it makes my day! |
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