LightGrams
January 15, 2026
Volume 30, Number 3
The Beach Academy in south Wales launched a good work not long ago: They aimed to clean debris from the rock pools of Ogmore by Sea Beach. Similar efforts are conducted in our own community as volunteers take time to pick up trash along the shores of our lakes and rivers. It’s a good deed.
What the volunteers in Wales found was surprising: old shoes. But these were more than old shoes; they were obviously from more than 100 years ago, based on the hobnails in the soles. The quantity of shoes found was also surprising: more than 400 shoes, some of them in surprisingly good condition. The obvious question, though, was, “Whose shoes were these?”
A couple of theories seem most likely. One points to a nearby shipwreck about 150 years ago. Could that ship have been carrying shoes for some local merchant? Another theory proposes that local cobblers simply disposed of old unrepairable shoes by throwing them in the bay. There is probably no way to arrive at a conclusive answer, but shoes without feet strikes anyone as odd.
In Ephesians 6:10-18 Paul made an appeal to Christians to “put on the whole armor of God”. The imagery was deliberate as Paul wanted us to realize that we’re in a battle “against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” With that kind of conflict, it’s imperative that we be properly equipped.
In the list of items to put on, Paul mentions this: “Having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15). Another translation of that verse says, “Put on your shoes so that you are ready to spread the Good News that gives peace” (God’s Word Translation). In other words, be ready to tell others about the saving message of Jesus Christ. Such “shoes” would help us carry out the Great Commission of Matthew 28:19,20.
How many Christians take the Great Commission as a personal responsibility? Or, to use the imagery of Paul, how many shoes are found without feet? Why have so many pairs of shoes been cast overboard?
Not all Christians are expected to preach a sermon or to be in charge of a formal Bible study. But all of us can do what the woman of Samaria did after she met Christ: “The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, ‘Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?’” (John 4:28,29). John continues to say that many from that village came out to hear Jesus for themselves and became believers. Look at that woman’s shoes!
Putting on the shoes of the preparation of the gospel of peace is as simple as inviting another person to come to worship or Bible study with you. It’s not hard to lace up these shoes. And there are so many shoes just waiting to be filled with feet like yours! (See Romans 10:14,15)
Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.
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Copyright, 2026, Timothy D. Hall. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New King James Version (Copyright, 1990, Thomas Nelson, Inc.).
“LightGrams” is produced by the Central Church of Christ, 2722 Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee, 37601, and is written by Tim Hall, minister. It is sent free of charge every Thursday to all who request it. To subscribe or to receive more information, write to “Tim@GraceMine.org” (our E-mail address), to the U.S. mail address above, or call (423) 282-1571.
Permission to reproduce and/or use the messages for noncommercial purposes is freely granted provided the messages are not altered.