“ How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,
Who bring glad tidings of good things!”

*sigh*

is the above statement always true? - or is it dependent on the ears of the listener of this good news?

If we try to live our lives in the way of the LORD and then those around you - your friends, no less - politely close you off from areas of their lives, is it supposed to be ok with us?  I guess I’ve always sort of struggled with this in my life - although when I was younger, the “good Christian girl” package was quite favorable among the Asian parents, thus having an automatic “in” into the lives of your friends because their parents trusted you. you were one of the friends they would not mind their son/daughter hanging out with.

but now, our friends do not rely on our parents as a pre-screen to which relationships we are to grow or slowly shut out.  when you’re very people-oriented (yes, i’m QUITE blue. 47.), this slow shutting out of someone-you-care-about’s life really breaks your heart.  your feet [that doesn’t even carry the gospel of peace well or shine too brightly - i mean, you’re just TRYing to live in the way of the LORD], nonetheless still carrying the gospel of peace, is no longer beautiful in your friend’s eyes. infact, even shunned. uninvited and frankly, not wanted.

and it is here I remind us - the importance of CLINGING TO THE CROSS.  wow, the conviction when we realize the shunning friend is me, and the Christlike friend is Christ.

may we ever learn from our LORD His ways - not just in conduct and morals, but also His way of loving. the love that melts all barriers and makes even the worst sinner turn his head not with self-condemnation, pride, or obligation, but with hope in the assurance of his Redeemer.

so what is the conclusion?

pray. pray for your friends that their hearts will be softened (not to you necessarily, but to Jesus living in you). pray for your relationships that you will not be tempted to shut off this area from the LORD, and instead, to allow Him to walk across these bridges of yours.  pray for yourself that even after having seen this cost of momentary (even if it lasts months, years) chilling of a friend’s love for you, you will still choose to put on that essential piece of the armor of God - the gospel shoes, and wear it not with pride, but unashamed… and that you will learn to love like our LORD loves us, waiting with arms wide open, not crossed.

don’t take off those gospel shoes, Christian. if unwelcome, love on and humbly pray for the heart behind the ears of those listening.