Recently I met a lady from rural background, during my trip to Uttarakhand. During our conversations, she was explaining various customs and traditions of her clan. Although I couldn’t understand most of their customs (the reasons of practising them). Because till so far what I noticed amongst all the communities (urban or rural) that they practice various customs, without ever questioning why they are following what they are following. Just because their older generations did, they follow them too, never wondered what could be the actual reason for behaving in that particular manner.

So here in this lady’s case, she happened to share with me something, that caught my attention.

There was a specific practice, that their generations followed for decades down the lane, and that was, gifting off their old shoes to people in need. When I enquired what could be the reason for such a practice, all she could think of telling me, is this—– “ I do not exactly know why, but our generations followed and we did too, but I think my people believed, if we gift off worn out shoes, we get rid of bad spirits and our past bad karmas.”

(Shash Grewal(Shashwati) is a “Scriptural Motivational Writer, who explain’s life’s, common principles, in a very lucid manner so that the younger generation can relate to the solutions, She offers through her writing, to all the problems they face on a daily basis.)
That made me rethink!!

In the book of Exodus chapter 3:5, we read the story of Moses and burning bush.

In this particular chapter, Moses was tending the flock of Jethro, his father in law, and while leading them, he came to mount Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush and Moses saw that though the bush was on fire, it did not burn up. So as Moses went over to see the strange sight, God called to him, and said—“Moses Moses, do not come any closer, take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing, is Holy Ground. I am God of your father.”

The rest of the chapter goes on to explain the conversation between God and Moses, and God promised to bring all the Israelites (people in oppression) out of bondage. Verse 12 says, God said “I will be with you”. In simplicity Moses asked the name of God, and the reply God gave was…… “I AM WHO I AM”.

(Shash Grewal(Shashwati) is an enlightened writer and composer, who writes love saga of her Lord Jesus and herself.)

Now the point is, when God commanded Moses to take off his sandals off the Holy ground, I am sure there was more to it, than ‘just’ removing his shoes. Lord must have meant this as well, that we are t o put off our old shoes of sinful nature and step into the pathway of righteousness in His Holy Presence. We are to abandon our old life of bondage and rebellion and step into a new life of liberty and obedience to Jesus.
(Shash Grewal(Shashwati) is a scriptural Motivational Writer, Speaker, Spiritual Teacher, Preacher and an Evangelist.)

I understood this practice of gifting off worn-out shoes must have evolved from those days and broken and twisted and given new form of present thoughts, over a period of time.
A new life of liberty and freedom, is very easy for a willing heart!!!

Rather than gifting off old shoes, if we ‘give-off’ our old immature, sinful nature to God, “HE IS ABLE” to make you new.
(Shash Grewal(Shashwati) is a philanthropist and a social worker, who tries to reach out to hurting hearts with scriptural blessings and kindness.)

Ask God to sweep over your souls and fill you with His spirit and make you see the blessings He has in store for you, not your way, but ‘His way”…..

Prayer:–
Oh Lord!!
Deliver me from my disobedience, preconceptions, traditions and hardness of heart, which prevents me from hearing and obeying Your voice!! Amen!!!