Get Dressed

I sometimes forget to be thankful for the ability to dress myself. I also forget that I have choices every day. There are people whom I’m aware of that can’t get dressed by themselves and they have very limited choices in what to wear. I wear casual slacks and a branded shirt most days. I am not a fan of super formal events, where everyone is really dressed up – like a “black tie” event. I’m pretty much a casual person. I remember as a kid getting “dressed up” for church. We always wore our “Sunday best”.  When I got older, I realized that dressing my heart up for the Lord was the best way I could prepare to go to church. I recently witnessed a man who had a prosthetic for his leg and when he had pants on, you couldn’t tell. By getting dressed up, we can also “cover up” our real selves.

Paul speaks to the Colossae church about getting dressed. He speaks to what I should be wearing versus what I often wear. I need to discard the things that represent who I used to be and put on Christ Who now lives in me. Check this out…

¹² Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.¹³ Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. ¹⁴ Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. ¹⁵ And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. (Colossians 3:12-15 NLT)

My clothing can protect me from the elements of nature. I can keep warm from the cold with proper clothing and my son wears proper protective clothing when welding. When I put on the right spiritual clothes to begin my day, the Lord is honored, and I feel protection from the enemy.

I noticed a few things in this passage that jumped out at me.

Give others a break when I’m wronged.

Forgive others because I’m forgiven – this is not optional.

Love is the binding agent that pulls it all together – it should be my motive.

ALWAYS be thankful – gratitude is the parent of all other virtues.

If I clothe myself with love and grateful heart, I’m ready for today and any other day. My heart belongs to the Lord. He clothes me. He provides for me. He is present with me.

Pressing On!

Dwayne