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These Boots...

             Stand firm then… with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  (Ephesians 6:14a & 15)

          The “gospel of peace” part of this verse has bothered me for a long time. What does it mean? I understand that Christ’s death and resurrection means that we can have peace with God. I understand that peace involves our learning to agree with God just as peace with a river means going where the river flows. But - as much as that is, and it’s a lot - my response was often, “Is that all it means?” That seems too simple.

          Perhaps the last decade as instilled some wisdom, or maybe I’ve finally noticed the obvious. My understanding has been “vertical.” What if what this passage is about “horizontal” relationships: person to person? What if the idea that we are equipped for battle best if we are ready to walk in peace with other people? Don’t misunderstand this. I’m not suggesting that we should dismiss sin as “nothing” or say that evil doesn’t matter. I’m talking about a willingness to make peace with people.

          The thing about a good pair of boots is that they make it possible for you to move quickly in any direction. Boots mean freedom to me. So, boots (as some translations put it) fitted with the readiness the gospel of peace means having on heavy duty footwear that allows us to cross stony, glassy, viny, and even poisonous or hot territory in or to be at peace with someone. It’s a willingness to put aside superficial or insignificant matters like race, sex, ethnicity, class, education level, financial status, or lineage. Sometimes, the ground between those is treacherous. That’s why we need boots.

          If we’re unwilling to cross that ground, we lose the battle for our souls.

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