The Gospel Shoes

            And having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace. (Eph 6:15)

I have many pairs of shoes but I can only wear one pair at a time. The shoes that I wear most often are the comfortable ones. Preaching the gospel is similar. We share what we are most familiar (i.e., comfortable) with others over and over again. This can be our personal testimonies or others’ stories that have touched our hearts the most. We want to spread the gospel because we treasure the salvation received and are grateful for all the blessings bestowed upon us. An attitude of gratitude will bring more blessings in return and make us a channel of blessing to others.

Witnessing is a demonstration of a thankful heart. Even a simple testimony may bring about unexpected effects. Both my grandmother and mother actively witnessed and preached the gospel after they had experienced miraculous healings. Their preaching and testimonies helped establish the first and second waves of the early believers of my hometown church. Jesus told the once demon-possessed man after his healing, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled (Mk 5:19-20).

Receiving the Holy Spirit was an unforgettable and wonderful experience in my life. After four decades, I still remember vividly the motions of receiving the Holy Spirit, the first time that I spoke in tongue in prayer, and the inexpressible joy that filled my heart. Over the years, I grew to understand and appreciate various functions of the Holy Spirit, particularly as a personal counselor and also as a comforter. In every story of mine, I see the works of the Holy Spirit. It is no wonder that the Holy Spirit has become my favorite subject to share with newcomers.

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’ (Isa 52:7)

May we all wear the gospel shoes and preach the gospel as we walk our pilgrimage journey.

Questions for Reflection

1.      What do we do for others after receiving grace and salvation?

2.      Have we spoken the word of salvation or shared our stories to the people around us?