There had to be some importance of purple footwear. Yesterday, I read an article that had a section titled “Boots that will help you walk a new path.”
My shoes’ dreams suddenly flooded my memory. So far this year, I have had at least four dreams in which I was buying shoes, looking at my shoes to figure out the best to wear, or trying to find shoes to leave the location I was at. In another dream, someone wanted to buy purple high heels for a friend of mine.
My dreams included either buying shoes or looking for shoes. I guess God has been showing me to get ready to walk a new path.
But, how many of us are ready to walk the path that God has for us? If I look closely at my dreams, I don’t think I was quite prepared. At one point, I was in such a rush to leave and get something on my feet that I put on the first thing I found, which were sandals that only held my big toe and my heel. Although not feeling quite comfortable in them, I hurriedly left on my journey.
I yielded to my circumstance, making it be the impetus to put on the first footgear I found that seemingly fit, even though I was not geared for my travels.
So many women wear shoes that look good in order to be appealing to others, yet inside those shoes, they are really hurting. Unfortunately, some women don’t wear their size, forcing themselves into smaller shoes for that dainty look, which later damages their feet.
When we don’t wear what fits, we will be unfit to figure out the function of our lives.
There was once a woman who really had to have a deep appreciation for sandals, as her life depended on them. This foreigner walked away from her idols, her home – all she knew, and took a step of faith into the unknown. Her fore-parents committed an incestuous act. Lot's daughter had sexual relations with him when he was drunk and a son was conceived. His name was Moab, the father of the Moabites. This Moabite woman's kindness has been told for generations and her life is a testimony that faithfulness can make a positive impact throughout history.
She may have been a tired traveler, yet her stalwart stride set her at the site that was significant for her survival. It was there that bold Boaz bought the land that came with a bride and settled the deal with a sandal. His bride has a whole book that tells the story of how she came to be redeemed by a sandal. The book is Ruth.
(Now in earlier times in Israel, for the redemption and transfer of property to become final, one party took off his sandal and gave it to the other. This was the method of legalizing transactions in Israel.) So the guardian-redeemer said to Boaz, “Buy it yourself.” And he removed his sandal. Ruth 4:7-8
Naomi was suffering much hardship after her husband and two sons died. She decided to go back to her hometown of Bethlehem. Her two daughter-in-laws wanted to follow her, but she told them to go back home, one returned, but one followed. Ruth, whose name means “friend”, was the one who continued the journey. Living up to her name, Ruth’s sandals walked the dusty rough road with the mother-in-law she dearly loved, to a land she did not know. Her path was neither easy nor clear, but she trod the trying trail not knowing whether her trek would lead to triumph or tragedy.
The weary wanderer found a field in which she could gather grain. This field belonged to Boaz, whose name means “strength,” was a relative of Naomi. Some may have called it serendipity, but I know it was divine guidance that showed her the way to a field in which she would find favor.
Boaz investigated Ruth and discovered she walked in humility while looking after her mother-in-law. He was pleased with her and offered her extra food and had his workers lay more grain out for her to collect.
Naomi realized in whose field Ruth worked and recognized the provision and protection Boaz offered. Ruth’s feet were right where they needed to be. The shrewd senior saw an opportunity for the young widow to get a new life. Naomi advised her cohort to put on her best clothes and sweetest perfume then go to Boaz’s threshing floor. After, when he went to sleep, she would uncover his feet and lie there.
This didn’t seem like the route a lady should take. It wasn’t a path for modest shoes to trudge. But, Ruth continued her walk of obedience and stepped into new territory, lying at the feet of Boaz on the threshing floor.
This damsel displayed no distress, instead she took the risk and it paid off. Boaz saw her act as kindness and did not want her good character tarnished as his affections grew for his new found “friend”. This valiant man had her leave early in the morning with a bundle of barley and a promise to redeem her if the relative closest in line wouldn’t do it.
“The LORD bless you, my daughter,” he replied. “This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character. Although it is true that I am a guardian-redeemer of our family, there is another who is more closely related than I. Stay here for the night, and in the morning if he wants to do his duty as your guardian-redeemer, good; let him redeem you. But if he is not willing, as surely as the LORD lives I will do it. Lie here until morning.” Ruth 3:10-13
Many people have said that Ruth made the first move. But, she didn’t. She took the step of faith and walked into her destiny which came out of obedience and love. Her travels with Naomi opened up a new life for her. Her steps were ordered by the Lord (Psalm 37:23). Naomi was wise and knew by Boaz’s actions that Ruth had found favor with Him. Ruth’s action was one of faith, humility and obedience. Boaz, being a hard working farmer, probably had dirty feet after tramping around the threshing floor, yet she came smelling sweet and looking good, then placed herself at his feet.
Boaz acknowledged that he was older and this attractive woman could have run after younger men. Yet, she decided not to put on track shoes, but rather bed slippers. Wisdom made her lay still, while God worked out His plan.
Many women are on the fast track, wanting to blaze new exciting trails, others decide to be homemakers, keeping their feet close to home. Whatever the choice, the shoes we wear need to be of God’s choosing. Our Master knows best. We should take off our shoes knowing we are standing on holy ground in His presence, the lie at his feet in humility. It is in this stance of intimacy, that our Father will give us the right shoes for the purpose He has for us. No matter what type shoes He gives us, it will be fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Ephesians 6:15
After Ruth married Boaz, she had The Story of the Purple Shoes. You see, the color purple was very rare and extremely valuable in those days, therefore it was worn by royalty. Ruth walked into her role as the great grandmother of King David, from whose line Jesus came to destroy the works of the enemy. She walked the paths of righteousness and her exchange for a sandal gave her the right to step into her purple shoes.
In our lives, God gives us different shoes to walk in during different seasons. Although the road ahead may look difficult, God has a shoe to fit. Whether it is to have the devil under our feet, standing firm, or spreading the gospel, we must make sure our steps hold to God’s paths (Psalm 17:15). Then, in spite of where we go or what we do, we will have The Story of the Purple Shoes.
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