The Gospel of Peace and Shoe Spikes

Put on the full armor of God…with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes with the gospel of peace…”  Eph 6:15

Anything I’ve ever heard about The Armor of God section of Ephesians has a lot to do with some serious tactical battle approaches.  You know what I’m talking about- do a quick consultation with Mr. Google and you’ll dig up about five hundred essays on how soldiers had spikes in their shoes to keep them from falling over- the gospel of peace should be like shoe spikes.  Essays on how peace gives you a firm chin, where you can resolutely march forward in the thickest battles- the gospel of peace makes you a good stiff upper lip.  Essays that convey the ugliness of combat, bayonets lifted and war cries ring out- the gospel of peace stabs out in the darkness, slaughtering all that is…non-peaceful? 

Hang with me here.  I know that Paul is writing about how we need to put on armor because spiritual battle is ACTUALLY intense and ought to be taken seriously.  This is a war metaphor during a time of great civil unrest and brutality and The Enemy creates unrest and brutality.  Paul is talking in terms that the people understand, and naturally, it rather sticks in the craw of a staunch, do-till-you-die pacifist.    

However. 

This is a long introduction to say that this morning, I was struck by the fact that we are made READY by the gospel peace.  Our feet are fitted with readiness because of PEACE.  What does that mean?  When I think of peace, I do not think of a stiff upper lip.  I do not think of shoe spikes.  I do not think of bayonets and stabbing.  I do think of Middle C- that perfect note singing clear through darkness.  I do think of quiet meadows by cool streams, with sunlight vacillating between the trees.  I do think of adventure- that wild joy of verdant youth, always prepared to jump because the ground will always catch you. 

Our feet are fitted with readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 

I feel anxious about The Future (oh yes, that theme, again) and this morning I felt a sigh of relief.  I am made ready for the future by internalizing NOW the gospel of peace.  The gospel of peace.  The unconditional acceptance from a God who loves me.  The undeserved mercy and compassion extending over ALL who hurt and ache and are weary.  The victory that causes weapons of death to be hammered out into ploughs of life- tools that encourage food and health. 

My task is not to turn myself into a determined do-gooding, forward-marching machine, but rather to connect myself with Christ.  The more I sit at his feet, breathing in his name, the more likely I am to love my enemy, to loosen my hold on micromanaging, to laugh at the unexpected.  The more likely I am to be ready to bring the gospel of peace.