A Love For Shoes And A Love For Souls

When I was a teenager, I worked at a shoe store. It was, without question, the best job ever. I received 50% off regular stock, and the discount still applied to items already on sale. In other words, it was a teenager’s dream.

Let’s say I owned a lot of shoes—easily more than fifty pairs. Honestly, if shoe ownership were a spiritual gift, I would have been operating in my calling.

One day, I was helping a mother pick out a pair of running shoes for her little boy. She finally found the perfect pair, and they headed downstairs toward the cash register. Suddenly, the little boy slipped and fell.

Without thinking, I ran over to help him. In the process, I got blood on my hands from his injury. Thankfully, the situation was quickly under control. I walked straight to the sink to wash my hands.

As I stood there looking into the mirror, I felt the Lord prompt me to look down at my hands. When I did, a sobering scripture came to my mind:

“But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone’s life, that person’s life will be taken because of their sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.” Ezekiel 33:6

Standing there in a shoe store with soap suds on my hands, I began to understand something profound about my life. The Lord was showing me the spiritual implications of ignoring the call to warn others about the reality of sin and the hope found in Him.

That day, in a place filled with shoeboxes and clearance racks, God began revealing one of the purposes for my life: to share the gospel with a world that desperately needs Him.

Showing the Love of God

I gave my life to the Lord as a teenager, but becoming faithful to my Savior was a journey—to say the least. Despite my shortcomings, God extended grace to me more times than I can count.

My dad is the most incredible Bible study teacher I know. And when I was grounded—which happened more often than I’d like to admit—he would make me attend his Bible studies. At the time, it felt like punishment. Looking back, it was actually discipleship in disguise.

I watched my dad teach with passion about the love of God. I saw the burden he carried for lost souls as he poured out his heart while teaching Scripture.

Somewhere in those Bible studies, something was birthed in my spirit. I felt the same desire—to sound the warning that sin leads to death, but also to proclaim the beautiful truth that the gift of God is eternal life. I wanted people to know there is a God who loves them so much that He gave His life for them.

Today, that is still my greatest desire.

I want to share the gospel of Jesus with a hurting, broken, and lost world. I’m not perfect, and I know there have been many times I missed opportunities to share the Word of God with someone. But I also know that every day is a new day, and the Lord is faithful to lead us to people whose hearts are hungry.

The Bible says that I am a watchman—well, technically a watchwoman—over souls. My role is to tell people about the love of their Savior and to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.

So today, I encourage you to demonstrate God’s love to someone. Show kindness and grace to someone who, in your opinion, might not deserve it.

After all, that’s exactly what Jesus does for us.

And pray this simple prayer:

“Lord, help me be a responsible watchman. Teach me how to love the way You love.”