Dusty Shoes

Well, I got to put what I'm learning into action recently.

I was at my doctor's office yesterday to meet my new doctor; sort of a meet and greet. When I was called in, I commented to the nurse that "that was quick, I didn't even have time to read much of my book." She laughed and said perhaps I could read it while I waited for the doctor. While she was doing the normal blood pressure check, temperature, pulse thingy, she asked what book I was reading. Normally, I would pause and wonder if I should share with this person about my "Christian book." Wouldn't want to offend anyone. Yesterday was not a normal day. Without hesitation, I pulled the book out of my purse and explained what the book was all about (it was this book). She asked questions about it! She wasn't offended and actually thought it was a great concept.

Then the doctor came in. I had an opportunity to share my faith with her as well.  How cool is that!!! God is educating me and then giving me opportunities to put my education to work. Given some of my history, the doctor said she was amazed at how peaceful I was and how strong I seemed to be. I got to tell her that it wasn't me, not one ounce of my doing. WooHoo! God is working and using me as a witness.

This really excites me and encourages me to keep it up.

Okay, onto Days 8 & 9. We start our journey into Dusty Shoes.....

Day 8

"Be willing to get your shoes dusty on the streets of this world."

I didn't know the full history of the Salvation Army, but Dr. Jeremiah gave me a bit of a history lesson. He wanted to use William Booth and his wife as an example of what he was teaching in this day's lesson. The Salvation Army was an outreach ministry to the "downtrodden & marginal members of society." Seems he and his family got their shoes very dusty on the streets of this world. Mr. Booth often said, "Go for souls and for the worse."  They are the ones that really need our help, right?

Jesus tells us in Luke 14.23:

..., 'Go out into the highways and along the hedges, and compel them to come in, so that my house may be filled.'

Doesn't sound much like staying in our cozy homes or church halls, does it? Jesus is our best example of having dusty shoes and of ministering to those who need it most.

So what exactly does this kind of ministering look like in today's world? When I think about going out into the streets today, it scares me. It would be very risky for a woman to head downtown where the homeless people gather; many of them have mental disabilities.The homeless youth hang out there also. Quite a bit of risk.

That didn't seem to bother William Booth or his wife. From what I read, they faced a lot of danger. In fact, Mr. Booth had people who protected him.

I don't God feel calling me to put my life at risk, but I know there is something He wants me to do.  He hasn't made it clear to me yet; I'm guessing there is more for me to learn first.

Life sign:  I am willing to get my feet dusty in the streets of my community.

Verse:  Luke 14.23

Action:  What opportunities can I actively pursue to be salt & light in my neighborhood?  Which one will I pursue this week?

Day 9

"The Christian walk should be filled with wonder & the fear of the Lord."

Dr. Jeremiah talked about our walk today and how we "As Christians ... are called to walk worthy of our calling, 24/7, morning, noon & night." 

Our walk always gives us away.

Yep, we can talk all we want, but do we do what we say?  I think about all the evangelical pastors who have fallen over the years and I cringe a bit.  When we fall, the world locks right onto it.  We are called hypocrites.  People mock us and turn away from us, because sometimes they are right.

I think we Christian's sometimes hold ourselves to a higher standard than others.  We preach at others and tell them that they are living wrong, they will go to hell, follow Jesus and life will be grand.  And then we live wrong; we cheat on our taxes, and we have affairs.  We really are no different than the rest of the world.  We can't expect to tell others about what they are doing wrong, then not live up to our own expectations.

I think we sometimes have bigger expectations that we really should.

Dr. Jeremiah outlined four ways to walk, as follows:

Walk with the wise

Walk in the fear of the Lord

Walk in newness of life.

Walk in obedience.


Walk it; preach it with your mouth only when your feet can't.  (See my quote from St. Francis up above.)

Life sign:  My walk supp0orts my Christian talk.

Verse:  Jeremiah 6.16  Thus says the LORD, 'Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk in it; And you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'

Action:  What can I do to stay focused on my walk with God around the clock?