Sitting in an international airport, you can only imagine the variety of shoes displayed here. These are the shoes chosen for travel. Do they represent the wearer or are they more practical than normal? Worn and well broken in; shined and on business; others with ties too complicated for my security line taste…and oh, the tennis shoes! Shoes can often give clues to the journey those who inhabit them have been on or are heading towards. What do your shoes tell of your journey?
If you sport hiking boots/all-terrain shoes, maybe you are ready for an adventure. Up to the mountain top or descending into the valley, you have sure footing and don’t want to miss a thing. Business/dress shoes speak of classic journeys or one who is available to dance. Flat and casual lend to practicality with not much concern for the landscape. Tennis shoes convey readiness for whatever lies ahead. Whether fashion plays in or not, shoes are visible markers, which speak to the journey we are on.
What are the visual markers of our journey with my God?
If others were to look at your life, or my life, would they notice things that clearly portray our journey with God? Like shoes, are there giveaways? If people are not watching, they may not notice—just as someone in the airport may not notice other’s shoes, but if they are attentive, some markers can speak loudly to the noticers.
One marker is loving-kindness. The way we treat others can stand out in our current societal norms. Jesus tells us in the book of John, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another (13:35 NIV).” As we love others through word and action, we are visibly different than many around us. To the clerk at the store, to our children, to a family in need, to our husbands and to our neighbors, we have the opportunity to highlight to Whom we belong and Whom we follow. We may never fully realize how impactful our words and actions can be to those who need loving-kindness.
Another marker is prayer. Much of this attribute may be done in private; however, when we pray before meals, pray for others on the spot or pray by ourselves before we enter into our meetings and responsibilities, others notice. Praying is the act of humbling ourselves before the Creator and Author of all, to submit our will to His will. In our willingness to be vulnerable in public, God can encourage and strengthen those who need it. Prayer marks the lives of those who are in relationship with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. We never need to overtly display our prayers, but neither should we hide something that can encourage others as well.
We also exhibit a marker through our commitment to the body of Christ. When we regularly participate in worship, serving, growing and connecting in our local church, it shows where our hearts are anchored and the importance of community and His Word. We are told not to neglect meeting together (Hebrews 10:25), our gifts (1 Timothy 4:14), doing good (Hebrews 13:16), the Word (Act 6:2), encouraging one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11) or keeping the Sabbath (rest) offered to us (Matthew 11:28). By actively doing these things together, we shine a brighter light of testimony to the world. Our lives are marked for others to see God’s goodness for those He loves.
Sometimes, we choose shoes for warmth over fashion or style over comfort. Many days, no one will notice or ask why you chose the shoes you did. Other days, more than one person will offer a compliment for your very choice. We never know when people are watching and wondering about the choices we are making. The best we can do is to prepare everyday to be the light others need. The questions and compliments will come. Your choices will encourage someone else to give it a try!
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