Get Dressed

I know you are hoping this is a post about the benefits of elastic-waisted pants, comfy shoes, and cozy pajamas that can be worn outdoors.

I, for one, approve of these fashion choices, so go and be free and relaxed.

Now that we got that out of the way.

Today, I'm talking about what we put on in the morning as we prepare to move about the world as the beloved schmoopies that we are.

When we think about how wonderful it is to be God's beloved children, we usually focus on what that means for us.

We enjoy all the good stuff that comes our way from God - unconditional love, unending forgiveness, countless opportunities to begin again, redemption for our mistakes, and a seat at the table in Heaven.

It's pretty awesome stuff, for sure.

But we rarely think (well, maybe I should say rarely do I think) of our responsibility in how we show up in the world as beloved children of God.

We are the hands and feet of our loving creator and are responsible for sharing the good stuff given to us.

But before we go out there, we must ensure we dress appropriately.

I'm not talking about the Super Suit God gives us for our protection.

I'm talking about putting on compassion, kindness, gentleness, patience, and humility so that we can treat people with the grace and mercy God shows us.

It's easy to judge people and only focus on what's wrong with them or how they aren't meeting our needs the way we want them to.

If we aren't dressed properly, we leave ourselves vulnerable to the evil elements that whisper to us and pull us to our primal nastiness.

They are driving too slow.

That waitress wasn't friendly or fast enough.

That coworker never does their share.

They must be stupid to believe that because, clearly, I am right.

They didn't include me, so I won't include them.

They hurt me, so I'm going to hurt them.

What we think in our heads can be pretty awful. And when those thoughts become our diabolical actions, the results can be devastating.

That's why social media comments are so shocking—they give an outside voice to the awful thoughts we usually keep to ourselves.

Now more than ever, it's critical that we are dressed as the beloved to bring light and love into the world.  

Wearing the attire God has chosen for us can help avoid irritation and infection. Not only that, these outfits are flame retardant, so we don't get burned by the enemy.

What a deal!

Today, I think I will put on a few layers of gentleness and patience with myself and others.

I hope this outfit will allow me to go easier on those I interact with and look at them the way God does so that I can assume the best in others rather than think the worst.  

Plus, it's chilly outside (literally and figuratively), and gentleness and patience feel super warm and cozy to me.

What are you going to wear?

Colossians 3:12

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

Romans 12: 1-2

So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going to work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering.

Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God.

You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what He wants from you and quickly respond to it.

Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you and develops well-formed maturity in you.

Matthew 5:16

In the same way, let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in Heaven.