on souls and soles

In the morning
when you are choosing shoes,
don't snooze
and overlook the most important shoes of all.
And no, I'm not talking about those new name brands from the mall.

I'm talking about the ones the One talks about -
the ones that carry peace to every place,
the ones that you wear that don't wear out,
the ones that help you run the race before you -
Gospel shoes.

These shoes don't go out of style,
and they last mile after mile,
and they must not get lost in the pile.

These shoes don't walk with the tide.
They work worldwide.
They cannot choose to hide.
They talk of the Guide
on the ride of life
through sun and through strife,
down valleys,
up hills,
down alleys,

... and into offices,
where the ladies have their high heels on
and the men their slick, polished shoes -
(those brand names from the mall)
walking tall,
toes pointed
toward
the ward
for ill souls,
soles worn out,
souls worn out,
secretly.

You see, 
that's why you need to put those Gospel soles
first on your feet,
so that when you meet
those low souls in high heels,
those dirty souls in polished boots,
those important souls in cheap flats,
you can tell them where to look -

to Him Who came from on High to low -
to Him under Whose feet we live,
Who came under to wash our feet -

to Him Who walked and talked among us,
Whose sandal straps we were unworthy to untie -

to Him Whose bare feet were nailed to a tree
on a hill called Calvary,
where He bore our sin and shame -

to the Name worthy of all fame -
the Lord God -
because He is holy
and He wholly conquered death
so that we might truly live.

In Him, through Him and to Him be the glory
for this Story
though gory, but great,
because our sin-sick souls can be repaired
by His payment.

This Lord Jesus -
Who crushed Satan's head with His heel!

So how do you get these new souls...
these new soles?

And what about a wardrobe change?
It's available to all -
and no, you can't get it at the mall.

Here's how -

Christ came,
To give us (so that we might live)
His robe of righteousness -
a radiant robe, a required robe,
a blood-bought robe.

We receive this robe
in exchange for our rags
full of snags, full of tears and tears -
our rags that we have tried to wash clean
(with our rule-following
and sermon-swallowing
and guilt-wallowing)
to no avail.

You see there was this veil
(this separation because of our sin)
between the Creator and creature
that the only good God-Man came to tear.

And now we wear
this bride's veil,
clean, pristine, proper,
bought by His life-blood -
free to us but cost Him everything,
free to us but cost Him everything.

And the payment He made was complete
Because He rose back on His feet
And ascended back on high to the sky.

Now do you see
that these costly clothes
and these Gospel shoes
are the most essential items we need?

He is 
more vital than Vera Wang
more pricey than Prada
más dulce que Dolce and Gabana
more gorgeous than Gucci
more special than Kate Spades.

So, my sister, 
forget that dress for now
and address your absolute need of His blood-bought covering.
Forget that diamond ring right now
and look at the Kind King, radiant in all His sparkling splendour.
Forget those red nails and pierced ears for now
and see His nail-pierced hands, red with blood.
Forget that accessory's price
and consider the price He paid for your life.
Forget that new handbag for now,
and see His hands beckoning you, "Come!"
Forget the latest designer
and get to know your Designer.
Forget what you think you need,
because what you absolutely need is the Redeemer.

Realize that you don't just own a bunch of soles,
you are a soul.
You don't just have a body,
you are meant to be part of the body of Christ.

All of humanity
in all of our depravity
need all of His grace
poured out upon the human race!

Sisters, we're all really the same
and this life is not a game.

We need the Name above all names,
the blest One, our rest -
Jesus Christ.
And when we know Him, we will want Him more than anything else.

"What does it profit a man or woman to gain the whole world yet forfeit his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" - Jesus