Feet are strange. You would think that they are all about the same but that is not true. Everyone has seen ugly feet and everyone has seen good-looking feet. There are flat feet and highly arched feet. There are feet covered in callouses and feet that are soft as can be. Feet are frequently in shoes but if you are blessed by warm weather, your feet may be in sandals or even plain bare feet.
Soldiers – especially those in combat units that march a lot – know the importance of taking care of your feet. Good boots, socks, and regular checks to make sure no blisters are forming are all essential. The same is true for pilgrims and long-range hikers who are walking for miles each day. Sore feet are the standard of the day in those settings but you can’t allow your feet to blister or otherwise be injured – that will stop you completely. You must take care of your feet and your feet will take care of you. Our feet carry our weight wherever we want to go.
But do your feet always take you where you want to go?
The Bible says that narrow is the path and gate that leads to righteousness but wide is the road that leads to destruction. (Matthew 7:13-14). Wide roads are easy to follow. It is much easier to get on a multi-lane Interstate Highway than it is to follow a winding country road where you are not sure of the next turn.
The same is true in life. It is much easier to follow the lead of the world. It is easy to travel down roads we later wish we hadn’t. It is much easier to follow the well-beaten path of the crowd even though the crowd is heading a direction we don’t want to go. When we are trying to walk alone it is easy to take missteps and walk the wrong direction because of not being willing to ask directions. It is easy to walk into places and situations that we should not be.
As our feet carry us down all of these wrong directions. As our feet carry us into bad places. As our feet carry us down the wide road that leads to destruction. As our feet carry us into these situations the enemy is there – waiting to tempt, to accuse, to bait us into sin.
How much sin are your feet carrying? How many wrong roads, wrong turns, missteps, and wrong places have added the weight of sin to your soul? Our feet carry our weight and the weight of sin is heavy upon the soul.
You do not have to carry this weight. As a good soldier does, you can take care of your feet. You can turn and walk down the narrow path that leads to righteousness. It is easy to get on the right path – the narrow path – just enter through the narrow gate.
What is the narrow gate? you ask. Jesus himself is the narrow gate. Do you wish to enter the narrow gate? Then take all the weight of sin your feet are carrying and place it at the feet of Jesus where it has already been nailed to the cross of forgiveness.
The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. ~ Romans 16:20~