“A man’s steps are established by the Lord, and He takes pleasure in his way.”
Psalms 37:23
Holy Bible: Holman Christian Standard Version. 2009. Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
Humans walk. We were born with vehicles of transportation. Our legs carry us here and there. By them our rule and reign as sub-creators under God, our creator and heavenly Father God, is extended to the ends of the earth. The Lord under-girds our path with His good pleasure. It was His perfect purpose for Him to create us as mobile creatures. The Lord knows the landscape we travel, each hill and valley, and it pleases Him to see mankind embrace their endowed prerogative to subdue and rule His earth.
“and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace.”
Ephesians 6:15
Holy Bible: Holman Christian Standard Version. 2009. Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
We are not only movers but storytellers. Everywhere our feet take us our personal narrative travels with us, what we have seen and heard (1 Jn 1:3). Jesus-followers, are blessed to be connected to the true and all-pervasive narrative that underpins the whole fabric of the universe, from creation to the last day! Paul, in his letter to the Jesus-followers in Ephesus, calls this story the “good-news of peace”. Now you may ask “Peace? Where do you find peace? Look around you Noah, are you saying the world is at peace and rest?”
The ultimate and final answer is yes. While Jesus is dying on the cross He proclaims “Tetelestai” a phrase, that when translated, means it is completely finished. It is a word related to commerce and the payment of a debt in full. In His death, all chaos caused by sinfulness has been dealt with and all accounts are settled by the payment of His sinless life. We are now free to walk on the firm footing of this good news of peace if we put on this message like footwear before taking off and out the door, down the road the after Jesus.
“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the herald, who proclaims peace, who brings news of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!'”
Isaiah 52:7
Holy Bible: Holman Christian Standard Version. 2009. Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
There is renewed beauty in the act of spreading this good news of peace! The prophet Isaiah marveled at how beautiful it was to have heard the message of peace in God from a faithful hiker. Our words have the power to inspire others with beauty, beauty anchored in the truth of God! Salvation from all the chaos and sin is a message to marvel at. It is story worthy of the finest book! Hope in Christ is beautiful! It transforms our creative expression!
“Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, because the Lord holds his hand.”
Psalm 37:24
Holy Bible: Holman Christian Standard Version. 2009. Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
Predictably, we stumble. We are frail. We falter in the path. We already have the news, but in our renewed role of subduing and ruling this earth for Christ it is easy to return to the old comfortable ways of sinfulness that fit us like a glove. Those who have known the beauty of Christ, who have experienced the fullness of His salvation, are not swamped in their fall. The waves of chaos do not drown us.
Jesus holds our hand. He does not let go (1 Co 1:8). Those who hear and listen to His beautiful voice, His great news of peace between God and mankind, will be helped up. Those who lay down and cry in agony need to hear the lovely news again. We have a promise from the LORD that he will be with us in our fall. We can model Jesus’ compassion for fellow followers and the ignorant alike in that we do not and never will abandon them. That is beautiful news to run with!
“Remember, God is as Great as He is Good!”
Noah R. Hunt
POIEMA: Created for Truth 