Jesus Factor: Can You Wear His Shoes and Walk

 

Can You Wear His Shoes and Walk 

Faith, like love, is an inner, personal action Word warranting sacrifice. Without such effort, like salt that’s lost its purpose and eventually gets tossed, so too our convictions and beliefs. Isn’t that what happened to Peter who while walking on water gave into doubt, when for self-preservation three times rendered his loyalty to fear, and out of self-righteousness refused to eat from the rooftop platter laid out before him? Yet the woman who reached out from within to touch was told “Your faith has made you well”; the man who out of curiosity overcame his limitations with a tree climbing venture was told “Come down for tonight we will dine together”. And what about Abraham’s willing sacrifice, Daniel’s dependance in the lion’s den or Steven who while being stoned for his convictions and beliefs looked up and saw the heavens open to embrace him? The list is endless, but constant and clear is the message: How deep is your light, love, and faith? How far are you able to go? How much are you willing to bleed?

And what of works? It’s been said “Narrow is the road” and “It’s easier for a camel going through a needles eye” than for the prosperous to obey, sacrifice and make amends. Consider Jesus. When they said, “didn’t we do this and that in your name” he replied, “Apart from me for I knew you not?” He said, “when you did not for the least of them you did not for me.” Does not that bring to question: For who’s benefit and glory do we work? For what do we pray? How often is it about personal gratifications and achievements: Homes. careers, possessions, relationships, etc.?

It’s easy to say “the word became flesh” to show/share a true way to a life in the light. It’s hard to accept how the world prefers a darkness full of self-deceiving opportunities and pursuits for monetary gain, power, and fame. And so, to the death bed of silence “The Word” goes; regarded irrelevant, impotent and blamed for widespread complacency. Yet from the rubble and ashes of countless civilizations continues to come, in the lives of new daughters and sons: “The Word:” Raised like lanterns in the night pointing out the true way to a life in the light, like beacons at the baptismal shores of lonely beaches full of growing fear and despair, still found; a pair of shoes beneath a sign asking, “For Humanities Sake, Can you wear and walk in these?” Many have come to see, give it a try and conclude: “Too Big, Too Small, Too Tight, Too Loose or just simply Not In Style!” Yet came Jesus and many more that followed and took the challenge, walked the walk and at their end tell the willing few to contemplate: “Yes! You Can Too!”

Isa 46:12-13 says, “Listen to Me, you stubborn people, far removed from righteousness: I am bringing My righteousness near; and My salvation will not be delayed.” So, the real question is, tween now and then: What are you going to do when the choice of fight or flight comes crashing at your ever shifting shores? Narrow is the road, but Faith and Love are Action Words that test one’s strength and courage. Still found; a pair of shoes beneath a sign that asks, For Humanities Sake; Can You Wear and Walk In Jesus’s Shoes? He said you could!