New Fall Wardrobe
It’s the end of September. As I was getting ready for work I heard a sound I haven’t heard all summer – the revving up of the furnace. My husband just didn’t think 58F (15C) was warm enough in the house. I, in turn, went to the closet and put on a coat, realizing that summer was truly over and I needed to protect myself from the cold.
But did I really put on everything needed for my protection???? Consider Colossians 3:12-14 with me.
NIV - Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Message - So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.
Have you ever asked God what to put on when you are in the midst of a “situation”? We look in the mirror to make sure we are presentable. We send time looking presentable for other people. But do we ever concern ourselves with what God thinks we look good in? Imagine this – to God, humility is gorgeous and forgiveness is breathtaking.
BEV: Lord, what am I wearing right now?
ANSWER: I see a cloak of excitement with bits of fear peeking out.
BEV: I am very excited about my 3 month sabbatical. But I’m also a bit fearful about how it will all play out, about not doing it the “right way”.
ANSWER: Oh Bev, worry does not become you. It is not your color. Are you willing to meet with me?
BEV: …. Yes.
ANSWER: Why the hesitation? Am I not your creator, your savior, your biggest supporter?
BEV: Yes, yes you are. But I don’t want to miss any part of what you have for me. I want to be available, aware, and open to change. But I need your help.
ANSWER: So you finally realize that you need my help to not only choose what to wear, but to get dressed as well. I accept the challenge. Follow my lead and I will make you the best dressed person around.
God is so good, isn’t he? He is so mighty yet so personal. During my 3 month sabbatical, I will be asking him to reveal himself to you in fresh and impacting ways. Please ask God for those same things for me. Thanks. Come January, I’ll let you know how he answered your prayers.
Blessings from Bev
PS – I wonder if God is concerned about the fact that we don’t put on a “blush” anymore? Have we lost the ability to turn red at the inappropriate? I wonder …
#1 from Nancy W. on October 05, 2009
Hi Bev,
Here are some thoughts that I had as I read through your blog.
I have a picture in my mind of how Christ was dressed at the most critical situation in His life ... dressed in (almost) nothing, head bowed, helpless, arms stretched out in total surrender with no thoughts of Himself, only others; clothed in nothing but humility and love. Pretty powerful picture of how we are to look to God and others, but so often not.
I am wondering though, are you sure you don’t want to miss any part of what God has for you? The parts I personally wouldn’t have minded missing when they were happening are really also the most precious and valuable experiences of my Christian life…painful but precious! This may not make sense to you but the parts of ministry that seemed exciting to me at the time, I hardly remember.
Have a happy sabbatical.