The following is from an interesting article in my files about various types of “shoes,” which should be of interest to the reader. We can gain some biblical truths from the analogies discussed. Likely you have heard the saying, “If the shoe fits, wear it,” which is a statement that points to some uncomfortable truth about ourselves, or someone else. One thing we can do about shoes is change them if they don’t fit, or if they are not what we want to wear. However, each person must determine whether to wear them or discard them. Which shoe fits you?
- Loafer – This person wastes precious time rather than doing something constructive and helpful. Some people want to do just enough to miss hell and barely enough to get to heaven. But we learn from the slothful servant (Matt. 25:30) that such a person will not make it to heaven.
- Slipper – This person slips into worship services at the very last minute and then slips out as soon as possible. He wants quick service and does not want to give any more of himself than is necessary. He is not dependable. Even when engaged in some activity, before long, he has slipped away before the work is finished. He easily becomes “weary in well-doing.” (Gal. 6:9)
- Flip-Flop – This person is faithful for a while and then becomes unfaithful. He is present for most every service, and then you don’t see him for weeks. He comes back, and sometimes is restored, and then before long, he is gone again. Some flip-flop from one congregation to another, never finding happiness anywhere. The church at Laodicea was rebuked for being “neither cold nor hot,” but “lukewarm,” which caused the Lord to want to “spew you out of my mouth.” (Rev. 3:14-16)
- High Heel – This shoe fits the haughty or proud. The person feels that he is better than others because of his position, education, wealth, influence, etc. The follower of Jesus is told in Rom. 12:3 “not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think…”
- Overshoes – Just as a person puts on overshoes when the weather is nasty, this person puts on Christianity when life becomes rough and difficult. Prayer becomes important during hard times, but when things are going well, he forgets about God and his responsibility of service. Scripture teaches us to “Be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” (1 Cor. 15:58)
- House Shoes – This type of person wants easy, comfortable living. He is comfortable with the status quo and seeks no improvement in himself, nor in the local congregation where he worships. He is like those who are “at ease in Zion.” (Amos 6:1)
- Sunday Shoes – This person concentrates only on the first day of the week. After Sunday worship, the shoes are removed, with no further obligation until the following Sunday. Jesus said, “If anyone will come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23)
- Work Shoes – This is the type of shoe that we must all wear. Christians are to “be fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.” (Col. 1:10) In order to inherit that eternal rest of the soul, we must work and labor while here upon this earth.
Which of the above shoes describes you?
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