Remember those days as a teen when you would get a new pair of shoes? If they were primarily white—or some other bright color—there was often a self-conscious stigma attached to wearing them until they were "broken in."

I remember those days. There was this conflicting set of emotions going on in my head. Happiness that my shoes—in sore need of being retired—had been replaced. As a tennis player in school, I went through many pairs of shoes pretty quickly.

There was also a strange type of embarrassment, knowing that my peers would all point—and probably laugh—at my bright new shoes. I remember walking down the hallway, and having people put on their sunglasses, or playfully hide their eyes behind a hand to protect themselves from the glare.

Now that I'm older, such things don't bother me. I went to see my dentist today with a new pair of shoes on and didn't bat an eye. I have no idea whether someone noticed my new kicks or not, and I really don't care.

I'm still thinking about some of the comments Penn Jillette had in the video I posted a couple of weeks ago. One of the things he criticized were people who don't/won't "proselytize" because it might be socially awkward. What are we so afraid of? Are we still like a bunch of insecure teenagers who care more about image than need? (My apologizes to any teen reading for the use of a blanket stereotype.)

Buying and using a new pair of shoes was often necessary, and always for my good. What could be more necessary and good than sharing the love of Christ with someone who's eternal destination is complete separation from God?

What are we so worried about? We Christ-followers need to get over our New Shoes Syndrome, and quit worrying that we might stick out from the crowd.

Aren't we supposed to be noticeably different?

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