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(This is something just for fun. Or is it?)

The other day, I began wondering about shoes. If you’re a woman, other than which pair to wear each day, you’ve probably thought about shoes when you need a new pair or you saw that really cute pair in the store window and had to have them.

Or if you’re a man, you don’t give much thought to your shoes except when you have a hole in the sole of your shoe and you step in a puddle!

Or maybe you think about shoes when the ones you’re wearing start pinching your feet. If they’re comfortable, you don’t give them much thought.

Shoes come in all different shapes, sizes, colors, materials, prices, and purposes. Some are…

* clunky
* spikey
* rubber-soled
* dressy
* casual

I’m going to ask you some questions, so answer honestly. If you were a pair of shoes, what kind would you be? Pick one.

* baby shoes
* ballet shoes
* dressy spiked heels
* casual flats or loafers
* sandals or thongs
* clunky platforms
* boots, any kind
* recreational
* dressy men’s shoes

Each has their own personality. If applied to your personality…

…baby shoes: you are still young, immature.
…ballet shoes: you dance through life, no cares.
…dressy spiked heels: you try to squeeze into what’s fashionable.
…casual flats or loafers: you are easy-going, take things as they come.
…sandals or thongs: you have no cares, doing whatever comes naturally.
…clunky platforms: you try to build yourself up, comparing yourself with others in order to fit in.
…boots: you are covered, protected, a hard worker.
…recreational shoes: you are on the go or always at play, outgoing.
…dressy men’s shoes: you are mature and handle responsibilities well.

So, what’s your overall appearance or characteristic as a pair of shoes? Pick one of each pair.

* new or worn
* soft-soled or hard-soled
* polished to perfection or dirty/muddy

Now, let’s put it all together and apply it to your spiritual life. If you are a pair of…

…baby shoes: you are a newbie to the Christian life, taking tiny baby steps.
…ballet shoes: you are the one always dancing in praise to the Lord.
…dressy spiked heels: you are uptight, squeezing into someone else’s idea of what a Christian should be.
…casual flats or loafers: you are comfortable being a Christian.
…sandals or thongs: you are open to all “spiritual” things, accepting even those things outside the realm of the Word, such as all paths lead to God.
…clunky platforms: you try to elevate yourself in the eyes of others to show your spirituality, to look like them.
…boots: you are fully protected from the elements, ready to go to work or march for the Lord at a moment’s notice, wherever He may send you.
…recreational shoes: you are more sports-minded than spiritual-minded, spending more time with sports than with the Lord. Your game is on your mind while sitting in the pew on Sunday morning.
…dressy men’s shoes: you have an important role in the church and willing to serve.

Now, which one are you? Be honest!

So, what do you look like as a pair of shoes? Pick one of each pair.

* new or worn
* soft-soled or hard-soled
* polished to perfection or dusty/muddy

If you chose…

…new: you haven’t stepped into God’s service or purpose yet.
…worn: you are “well-heeled,” as they say, having served for a while.
…soft-soled: you are soft, easy-going, comfortable in speaking to unbelievers about Christ.
…hard-soled: you are rigid, stiff, uncomfortable in reaching out to others, if at all.
…polished to perfection: you are perfect, having a holier-than-thou attitude.
…dusty/muddy: you are serving others where they are, where they hurt, even if it means getting a little dirty.

Here’s my answer…Sometimes, I’m a pair of casual flats, soft-soled, worn, and dirty. Sometimes, I change and am a pair of boots, soft-soled, worn, dirty, and ready for work. Sometimes, I’m a pair of ballet shoes, dancing in joy to the Lord. Sometimes, I even feel like a pair of baby shoes.

But whatever I am, I want to be that pair that Jesus slips into easily, the pair sitting beside Him, ready to be walked out in service.

Okay, so, what are you? Which shoe personality are you? In which shoe are you most comfortable? How do you walk out your Christianity? Did your first answer change from your last one?

Maybe I’ve made you think about shoes, your life, and your spiritual life. I hope so. And just maybe, you will never think about shoes in the same way again!

~~Blessings, Lynn~~