All Dressed Up

I am a bit of a routine person in the morning. I get the coffee brewing, then a shave and shower and finally I pick out my clothes for the day. I will sometimes pick out my clothes the evening before. I actually iron my clothes every day (even if it doesn’t look like it). I want to dress nice because I believe the old adage: “You don’t get a second chance to make a good first impression”. I have to confess that I don’t spend a crazy amount of money on clothes. I don’t even have a rotation system of which clothes I wear on specific days.  I remember when businessmen ALWAYS wore a coat and tie. I’m thankful that, for the most part, we have calmed that down a bit. There is now a dress code called “business casual” and it is a nice shirt (even golf shirt) and nice slacks. I recently saw a president and CEO dressed in a suit without a tie and he still looked sharply dressed. I do want to dress for the occasion of my work or where ever I’m going at a particular time.

I think getting dressed is important as I take on the day. I believe its way more important to choose proper clothing for my heart each day.  The way I dress my heart is to spend time in the Word of God allowing Him to speak into my soul. He develops my character and my heart when I welcome Him inside my heart.  I came across a passage in Exodus where Moses is being instructed by God how to dress Aaron and his sons to lead the people before the Lord. Check this out….

¹“Call for your brother, Aaron, and his sons, Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. Set them apart from the rest of the people of Israel so they may minister to me and be my priests. ² Make sacred garments for Aaron that are glorious and beautiful. ³ Instruct all the skilled craftsmen whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom. Have them make garments for Aaron that will distinguish him as a priest set apart for my service. ⁴ These are the garments they are to make: a chestpiece, an ephod, a robe, a patterned tunic, a turban, and a sash. They are to make these sacred garments for your brother, Aaron, and his sons to wear when they serve me as priests. ⁵ So give them fine linen cloth, gold thread, and blue, purple, and scarlet thread. (Exodus 28:1-5 NLT)

This song came to mind as I think about dressing my heart to come before the Lord. He my heart dressed in surrender and submission as I come before Him. He clothes my heart with love, mercy and grace among other Christ-like character qualities.

Here’s My Heart by Crowder
Here’s my heart, Lord
Speak what is true

Here’s my life, Lord
Speak what is true

I am found, I am Yours
I am loved, I’m made pure
I have life, I can breathe
I am healed, I am free

‘Cause You are strong, You are sure
You are life, You endure
You are good, always true
You are light breaking through

You are more than enough
You are here, You are love
You are hope, You are grace
You’re all I have, You’re everything

Here’s my heart, Lord
Speak what is true

Here’s my life, Lord
Speak what is true

Songwriters: Jason Ingram / Chris Tomlin / Louie Giglio

Here’s My Heart lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc, Essential Music Publishing, Capitol Christian Music Group

I believe it matters more how I dress my heart than how I dress my body. The actions and activities of physical body reflect the things going on inside my heart. I used to tell folks that I try to go to work with my heart dressed in my “Sunday best”. I want to dress my heart in a tuxedo even if I’m wearing blue jeans on my body.  The Lord is way more concerned with how my heart looks than what clothes I’m wearing.

Pressing On!

Dwayne