New Shoe Strut

Picture by Caprice Miller

But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”  Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened.   He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.   All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God. – Acts 3:6-9

It’s a really great feeling to get a new pair of shoes.  It could be a tennis shoe that you just KNOW will make you run faster and jump higher.  Maybe it’s a blinged out flip flop or hot stiletto that makes you hold your head a little higher as you walk.  Or maybe it’s one of these boots in the picture that has your name on it that causes you to strut a little more.  Whatever it may be, for many of us it puts a spring in our step to put on a new shoe.  You just want to show it off.   

For others, well….it’s “just a shoe”.  The concept of a new shoe just doesn’t resonate with them.  Chances are, it use to though.  Maybe the “new shoe excitement” wore off and now they go through life “just wearing” a new shoe instead of “experiencing” it.  When you think about it, too many of us seem to have gotten in a similar place in life.  We go through each day just putting one foot in front of the other not thinking about where the steps are taking us from or where the steps could lead us to. Imagine what it could be like if we took those same steps with anticipation of possibilities.   

The man in the passage today had lived a life not even being able to take a step.  But then Peter and John came along and suddenly, because the power in the name of Jesus Christ, he could WALK!  You better believe he was anticipating possibilities with each step!  His life had completely and radically changed because of this encounter; because someone took the time to share the power of Jesus with him.  It was probably not long after he took his first step that he began sharing his story.  In a real sense, this man had just gotten an amazing pair of new shoes and he couldn’t wait to strut around in them.  And “All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God.”

When was the last time you shared your excitement for what God has done in your life?  Maybe it’s something as miraculous as this man’s experience.  That would be hard not to share.  Or maybe you find it hard to think of anything to be excited or grateful for in this moment.  But as my good friend, Caprice, says – “There’s always something to be grateful for.”  In the times when we find it most difficult to experience that excitement and gratefulness, remember, God loves you right where you are.  He loves you so much He sacrificed His Son for you.  (John 3:16)  He knows your heart, what hurts you right now and what you struggle with.  In this moment, be grateful that you are not alone.  God is with you.  Praise Him for His presence.  By opening up our hearts to this reality, we open up our hearts to allow Him to show us more to be grateful and excited for. 

By the way, you might be reading this and not have accepted the gift of Christ as your own…. “new shoes”.  But you can put those new shoes of salvation and new life on today.  Just pray this simple prayer and make it your own:  “Dear God, I admit that I am a sinner and that I have messed up from time to time. I believe that Jesus died on the cross for my sins and that God raised Him from the dead. I choose to follow You, Jesus, and I confess that You are my savior. Thank you, Jesus, for saving me. I love You. Amen.”

Now, you too can walk, leap and praise God for His gift.