SMELLY SNEAKERS
Imagine earning thousands of dollars because you have smelly shoes. Recently, fifteen-year-old Senneca Slocombe from Eagle River, Alaska achieved the “honor” of possessing the smelliest sneakers in America. She was the winner of the 44th “Rotten Sneaker Award,” fittingly sponsored by Odor Eaters Corporation. The company uses this contest to dramatically demonstrate how offensive kids’ sneakers can become.
A panel of judges made the final decision, led by NASA “Master Sniffer” George Aldrich, Chemical Specialist for space missions. Kids across the U.S. anticipate this annual event, and take pride in mucking up their shoes to stand out from competitors. Senneca was awarded the grand prize of $2,500, out-stinking all others.
Having smelly feet isn’t exactly a virtue we value. But in this case, it’s a badge of honor. Many of God’s greatest servants in scripture were characterized by their “smelly feet” (those attributes we normally consider shameful).
Think of Peter, so outspoken, he only removed one foot from his mouth to replace it with another one. Or Matthew, the traitorous tax collector, who sold out his fellow Jews for a few Roman bucks. Or Paul, the notorious Christian-killer-turned-evangelist. In each case, God took the “smelly shoes” in their lives, and transformed them form “gory” to glory. Their mistakes became their ministry.
During Paul’s life, he was cursed with a “thorn in the flesh” (II Corinthians 12:7-8). After pleading three times with God to remove it, the Lord replied, “My power is made perfect in weakness.” Paul then adds, “the weaker I get, the stronger I become” (TPT). Our weaknesses stir us to trust in God’s power. What we see as a blight, God often views as a blessing.
Face it. We all have “smelly shoes”— those flaws and failures we try to hide. But God loves to turn our greatest humiliation into our greatest honor. Maybe it’s an ugly divorce, a physical handicap, or an addiction we struggle with. Instead of working overtime to hide those “smelly shoes,” what if we embraced them, so our vulnerability became God’s opportunity?
Think about it. Who’s the best person to minister to addicts, or to those experiencing the trauma of divorce? We know the answer. It’s those who have walked those painful paths. So the next time you feel like hiding your smelly feet… don’t! Like Miss Slocombe, they could turn out to be a great blessing.
Principle: God loves to take those shameful areas of our lives and use them for His glory.
Promise: God’s power is made perfect in our weakness.
Ponder:
What are the “smelly shoes’ in my life?
How might God use them to minister to others?
Pursue: For a deeper dive, study 2 Corinthians 12:1-10.
Prayer: “Lord, I confess that so often I focus on hiding the mistakes it my life from others. Please open me up to your healing, and use those mistakes to bring glory to you.”
Perceptions: Record any ideas God puts on your heart from today’s devotion.