Chapter 12- Walking Shoes

Let's consider shoes for a moment. Most people don't go around bare foot unless they are in their our house or yard. If we are going to be doing any walking outside of those two areas we put on a pair of shoes, right? There are a lot of choices these days: flip flops, sneakers, high heels, low heels, lace-up sandals, slip-on loafers, and the list goes on. Many women have an "addiction" to shoes. I am not immune to this desire. I love shoes. I like to match as best as possible. I can't wear my gray sneakers if I am wearing brown pants. I just can't! I have at least a few black shoes to wear with my black pants, and a few pairs of brown shoes to wear with brown pants. I, however, love bright colored shoes. I have a pair of hot pink sneakers that are so fun!

When shopping for shoes there are a lot of things to consider. Do I want a casual pair? Maybe a sporty pair? Is this for work, or school, or play? Do I want open toe or closed? How about comfort? Do we buy shoes that we will be comfortable walking long distances in? Even in high heels there might be a lot of walking. I hear those Dr. Scholl's insoles are good things to invest in.

I haven't really thought a lot about walking in someone else's shoes. The literal thought is not very pleasant. What if their shoes are too small or too big? But when you think about the struggles that others are going through, wouldn't it bring things to a different perspective if we were to attempt to walk in their shoes?
Last night I got a small glimpse of what it is like to walk in Jesus' shoes. To 100% know that he only had days before he was going to die. To know that he loved 12 men with every fiber of his being, but still have to leave them. Even leaving them with his counterpart, the Holy Spirit, would have been difficult. He spent their "last supper" washing their feet. He talked about what he was going to do, knowing that they really didn't understand. They wouldn't understand until after his trial and then death. He wanted to stay, to continue leading them and teaching them. However, he was called to die. He was called to be their sacrifice and ours. He spent the evening looking at each person and praying for them individually. He was going to die, but he wanted to spend their last meal serving them and demonstrating his love for each of them.

What would it be like be facing death? To feel the inevitable bearing down on us? Would we be able to serve others, those we love? Would we embrace our destiny with the grace that he did?

I hope to walk in His shoes more often. It's a moving feeling. I think I might try it with other people as well. I might be able to help a little more. You never know, maybe it will be like my Reebok Easy Tones, and make my butt look better, or at the least my heart.