Why You Need Shoes of Readiness to Protect Your Feet

You put on the shoes of readiness when you can say with Jesus, “Father, not my will, but Yours be done.” (Luke 22:42) These are shoes of yieldedness to the will of God. You put on readiness when you crucify your selfish desires and elevate His will over your own. You cannot be a fully functioning soldier in the army of God until you are willing to obey the orders of your Commander-in-Chief.

The Shoes of Readiness Scripture

The Active Element in the Shoes of Readiness

Readiness to serve God and walk in His path for our lives.

What Do the Shoes of Readiness Protect Against?

An unsurrendered life, walking in our self-centered will, wandering  from God’s plan.

Why You Need the Shoes of Readiness

We put on the battle sandals of readiness when we are thankful enough to surrender our lives to the will of God. Only by surrendering do we become ready to walk in God’s will as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. When we wear the sandals, we can walk over rough ground and not feel a thing. They protect our feet from the sharp rocks of opposition and enable sure footing in battle.

The following excerpt from my book, The Armor of Light, pp. 153-154, explains why the shoes are shoes of readiness and not shoes of peace, as is commonly supposed. We receive peace and its benefits of stability when we receive the gift of righteousness or "put on the breastplate." Readiness is the next step after the peace that comes from righteousness (forgiveness).

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The Shoes of Readiness

When I am fully convinced that God abides with me in the ups and downs of life, not only when I act perfectly, I have successfully put on the breastplate. My soul sighs in relief and rests in Christ.

Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) Paul said in Romans 5:1, “Therefore, having been justified [made righteous] by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Peace comes when we put on the breastplate. The psalmist said, “Righteousness and peace have kissed.” (Psalm 85:10) [They belong together.]

In that rest of conscience, I enjoy peace with God and experience His love. I am accepted just as I am, adopted into His family as a son or daughter with full rights and privileges. I am everlastingly grateful for His grace, and my heart overflows with thanksgiving, for God has captured my love by His undeserved favor, by loving and accepting one so unworthy.

The vine of my gratitude grows upward until it wraps itself around God’s heart, blooming profusely in the sunshine of His countenance. A desire rises within me to repay Him who loves me more than any other. I become willing to submit to and follow Him, so I can stay close to my soul’s companion, everlasting help, and choicest friend.

In that heartfelt response to the grace of the breastplate, I have strapped on shoes of readiness (or preparation). The Amplified Bible expresses the sense of the original Greek.

When read carefully, the Bible does not say our feet are shod with peace but with the readiness (or preparation) produced by the peace that comes from the righteousness of faith. Shoes of readiness are worn by those whose hearts rest in grace. They are shoes of thankfulness, yieldedness, service, and submission to the will of God.

Shoes and feet, of course, symbolize our spiritual walk. When we strap on the battle sandals of readiness, we are yielded and ready to go wherever our Commander in Chief sends us. Putting on the sandals means surrendering our will to the Lord’s will and allowing Him to direct our paths. Those with their battle sandals on say with Jesus, “…nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.” (Mark 14:36)

When we go where He sends us, we have secure footing because the sandals of God’s will are securely strapped on, have cleats like a Roman soldier’s sandals, and won’t slip. We are ready to stand immovable as conflict swirls around us.

Of course, if we revert to doing our own will, the sandals slide off, and our bare feet are pierced by every sharp thing in our self-willed path. Are you prepared, ready, and yielded to do what the Lord would have you do? If so, you have your battle sandals on!

As one prepared to serve the Lord, you have a message: In Christ, the oppressor's power is broken, good things are coming, and our God reigns! When we faithfully deliver the good news, the Bible says we have beautiful feet. (Isaiah 52:7, Romans 10:15)

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So, surrender fully and gladly to Him who saved you. Put on readiness to do His will as sure-footed sandals on your feet. Allow Him to guide and develop you in your spiritual gifts and calling. Your feet are beautiful when you submit them to God’s will and path and carry His message of good news!