“If your shoes could speak what would they say?”

Although strange, this is an interesting metaphor to describe the journeys of our lives. I came across this idea while exploring the theme of Journey and I quite like it. See, our shoes are a map of where we have been and what we have done. They’re a record of our experiences and encounters with others.

This quote had me thinking about what my shoes would say about me. Perhaps my favourite brown leather loafers would talk about the many Church meetings I’ve been in around Australia whilst wearing them or perhaps they’d talk about the countless plays I’ve watched in theatres around Sydney. Maybe my battered Army Cadet boots would talk about long hikes through Singleton Army Range or marching around a Parade Ground while working as an Officer in my previous school’s Cadet Unit.

Though we’ve probably never thought of it this way, our shoes are a record of our journeys in life.

The concept of journeying is not something that we’d readily reflect on but when we pause and think about it every one of us have experienced many different journeys in our life. For many our journeys speak of migration, some moving suburbs others moving countries. For others our journeys talk of lived experiences; changing schools or changing careers, stepping out into unknown prospects or a different setting. All of us, no matter what age, have experienced many different journeys.

This term in RE and Chapel Services at Lindfield we’ve been looking at the journeys of different characters from the Old Testament, such as Abraham and Moses. These great figures of faith were called by God to leave their comfortable, easy lives and go out into the unknown. They were challenged to lead others to new places and to seek a better life. These people, and many others in the Bible, were called to movement into something new.

So, if your shoes could speak what would they say? What are the journeys of your life, because each of us have had journeys; school boys, parents and teachers alike? What are the journeys that lie ahead of you? Perhaps during the holidays, you and your shoes can go on a new journey, explore somewhere new or learn something different.

I want to wish everyone a relaxing and safe school holiday and I look forward to seeing our Lindfield boys back next term.

Pastor Richard La’Brooy