“Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭CSB‬‬

I don’t feel secure or capable for many tasks with sandals on. I wear them all the time around the house, but if I do anything important or at all challenging, I change into shoes. When I volunteer at the foodbank, they require close-toed shoes. When I go for a hike, I opt for hiking shoes over sandals — even the ones made for hiking and even on a hot day. When I simply need to climb a ladder, off come the sandals and on go the sneakers. I’ve slipped too many times with my flip-flops thinking, “It’s just a ladder. What could happen?” Well, I could fall and crack a bone, that’s what.

So when reading today’s verse, it surprises me that sandals are part of the battle gear I should wear to be ready to combat the powers of darkness. Shouldn’t I be putting on the steel-toed boots of justice or the crampons of integrity?

No, God wants me in sandals. Why? Well, it seems I don’t need to be protected by my shoes so much as nimble and ready at a moment’s notice. Sandals are nimble and simple. I can move faster and be ready more quickly than if I must pull on clunky lace-up boots.

So what am I to be ready for? Peace.

What a strange thing to be ready for when preparing for battle. God wants me always to be ready to run toward peace. His peace. The Gospel of Peace. When attacks come my way, my first step should be directly toward God and His peace.

Dear God,

Teach me how to always be dressed and ready for peace. Thank you for protecting me and fighting for me. Thank you also for your word which tells me how to defend myself against attacks from dark enemies: with truth, righteousness, and a readiness for peace. Thank you for these powerful weapons you provide me. Show me how to use them wisely.