(Part 3 of the Armor of God series)
There’s a reason Paul mentions shoes when describing the armor of God. You can have all the armor in the world, but if you can’t move, you’re an easy target. The shoes aren’t glamorous, but they’re essential – they give us traction, balance, and direction. Walking barefoot across a Florida parking lot in July reminds you really quick why shoes matter. The same is true spiritually.
Ephesians 6:15 says, “and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.”
The Roman soldiers Paul would have had in mind wore heavy sandals with spikes in the soles – built for both stability and mobility. They could dig in and hold their ground, or move quickly when needed. That’s exactly what the peace of Christ gives us – the ability to stand firm and move forward.
Peace doesn’t mean the absence of conflict. It means the presence of Christ in the middle of it. The peace of God steadies our steps when the ground feels unsteady. It anchors us when the world around us shakes. And it allows us to keep walking when everything in us wants to stop.
If I am being honest, the past six months have been some of the busiest and most chaotic I can remember at work. We’ve had a record number of projects – some successful, some not – with the smallest crew and the shortest timelines I’ve ever seen. There were days I wasn’t sure how I’d get through my schedule without breaking down. But this is where my faith has changed everything. Walking with Christ hasn’t removed the pressure, but it has given me peace in the middle of it. His presence steadies me when stress threatens to knock me off balance. And His nudges still challenge me to drive forward.
When Paul says “readiness,” he’s describing a posture of alertness – a willingness to go where God leads. The gospel prepares us to move. Not in fear, but in faith. When we’re grounded in His peace, we can respond to pressure without panic and face uncertainty without losing our footing.
Isaiah 52:7 says, “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation.”
Everywhere we go, we carry the peace of Christ with us. Into our homes, our workplaces, our communities. The shoes of peace remind us that faith isn’t meant to stand still – it’s meant to go.
So before stepping into your day, pause and picture yourself putting on those shoes. You’re not walking into battle barefoot – you’re walking in the strength, stability, and peace of Christ.
“The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:7
Prayer from Wild at Heart: Lord, I do choose to live for the gospel at any moment. Show me where the larger story is unfolding and keep me from being so lax that I think the most important thing today is the soap opera of this world.
Dadvotionals 