The best footwear

"For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared." Ephesians 6:15 NLT

As both a long-time runner and a running coach, I know how important it is to choose the best footwear for the surface and terrain a runner will be traveling on. For instance, when running trails, trail shoes are the most appropriate, running long-distances requires a shoe with a lot of cushion, and when running the track, spikes are your best bet. Apparently though, not every runner shares my opinion--Benjamin Pachev being one of those runners. It seems he raced a 5000m in Portland on Sunday with a time good enough to come in 12th place. But get this... Benjamin was not wearing spikes like all the other runners. He completed the race in a pair of Crocs and ended up beating about half of the field. This is not the first time that Pachev has raced in Crocs. In 2017, he took his unique shoes to the Mini-Marathon in Indianapolis, where he raced a half-marathon with his father, Sasha. The younger Pachev ran to a mind-boggling time of 1:11:53, finishing in 16th place. His father, also wearing Crocs, crossed the line just a few minutes later, posting a time of 1:17:26 and finishing 44th out of more than 20,000 runners. Sasha later said that Crocs are the go-to footwear for the entire family.

And you know, when it comes to shoes, every Christian's go-to footwear should always be the "peace that comes from the Good News." You see, this gospel of peace is the message that Jesus gave to you and to me and to all those who choose to trust in Him. This peace comes with the assurance that we are God's children and that nothing can snatch us out of His hands. It outlines clearly what is required to become a child of God and, as Spurgeon so eloquently explained, "from this peace those sandals are prepared with which a man may tread on the lion and the adder, yes, and on the fierce burning coals of malice, slander, and persecution! What better shoes can our souls require?" Indeed, what better shoes could we or should we ever put on?

So be "fully prepared" to stand firm in these last days my friend my putting on the proper footwear. Be confident of who you are in Christ so that you will not only be able to defend yourself against the enemy without fear but to share the Good News with others that will allow them to do the same. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us everything that we need to be victorious over the enemy. Cause us to remember that every promise You make, you will fulfill and that You can be trusted. Give us the confidence, discernment, strength, courage and peace to live boldly for You. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

My feet are on the Rock