Blog – 6-11-20
I have a confession to make. I like shoes! Like, really LIKE shoes! Some of my friends lovingly call me a shoe addict! I can ALWAYS find a pair of shoes I can’t live without when I go shopping with my friends. In this season of quarantine as we’ve all spent weeks and now months in our homes, I’ve hardly worn any of those precious shoes I adore as I walk around barefoot. They sit in my closet untouched, gathering dust, especially the “special” ones I only wear when I’m performing. I long for the day when those beauties will get on the road again! A few weeks ago I finally finished going through my closet. I’ve been whittling away at it since this whole COVID-19 thing started, and it was finally time to attack my precious footwear. As I took a closer look at my shoes, I realized how many of them aren’t really a good fit for my feet. Some of them are completely worn out. Some are completely out of style. Some hurt my feet. To be honest, some were purchased for their looks alone; and every time I wear them, I swear I’ll never wear them again. Women, why do we do this to ourselves? It’s crazy when you think about it, but can I hear an amen if you’ve sacrificed your feet in the name of fashion! Here’s the truth about those shoes that look amazing but hurt my feet: in the long run, they actually harm my body. I have low back issues, and I always pay for the times when I wear them. I tell myself, “Girl, you know better,” as I down Ibuprofen. It makes me think about how many other things we “wear” in our everyday lives that aren’t good for us, are out of style, or don’t serve us any longer. Things like shame, low self-esteem, inadequacy, complacency, procrastination, regret, guilt. The list goes on and on. Take inadequacy, for example. I love teaching on this verse from the Psalms: “I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. I know that full well.” Psalm 139:14 (NIV) I am passionate when I share this verse and encourage people to pray this over their lives as an affirmation, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” I believe it wholeheartedly. I receive it as beautiful truth. But just like I wear shoes that aren’t comfortable and hurt my feet, I think about how many days I allow feelings of inadequacy and doubt to walk on my journey with me. How many times do I lace up my “I’m not good enough” sneakers as I head out the door? How about you, my friend? Are you wearing the right shoes?
What are you choosing to put on that doesn’t fit well or feel good? Are you bringing things with you that need to be thrown away? What lies are you wearing that don’t belong in your new life with Christ?
To be honest with you, I filled a couple of garbage bags with shoes that day. It was ridiculous, but some I had held on to for years and years. It was time to let them go.
Today is a the perfect day to take stock of what you’re wearing too! Those feelings of self-doubt that keep you from moving forward toward your dream, throw them in the Goodwill pile! Those feelings of shame that tell you you’re not worthy of God’s love and grace, tell them to take a hike! Those anxious thoughts that rise up and try to steal your day, tell them to leave as you put on His sandals of peace! Today let’s choose to wear the right shoes! Hugs and love, Jill