We just had the annual Oscars celebration- where are celebrities from all sorts of media come together, dress their finest and walk on the red carpet to receive nominations.
Usually the top question they get asked is “What are you wearing” or “ Who are you wearing?” So that they can represent their designer or the person that fashioned their outfit.
We should be thinking about what we wear every day too- but not in the physical sense, but in the spiritual sense.
Colossians 3:12 has a wonderful and very practical list of items that we need to put on every day.
“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 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. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.”
Colossians 3:12-17 NLT
Just as if we were getting ready for the day, there are always layers and steps that we need to think through before we rush out the door. You would never just have your socks on a jacket and grab your purse and go, without remembering the other items.
You would also not want to re-wear spoiled outfits the next day. On our physical bodies, we are conscious to change your clothes and have good hygiene.
It is the same with our walk with the Lord- we must always be conscious of what we’re taking off daily- The old desires and our selfish ambitions- and being conscious to change our wardrobe to gentleness, patience, and love- that covers everything. (See Phil 2)
Everyone has had someone in the office that hasn’t taken a daily shower- we can tell by the other side of the room and we tend to stay away from that person. Same it is with our daily walk, we need to make sure that we are daily coming to the father to have a fresh and renewed heart. Our daily spiritual shower “With the water of the Word” (Ephesians 5) it’s so important to get rid of anger, bitterness and negative thoughts.
The scripture says in Colossians three to have love cover everything in your walk and your daily words. Just as if you lived in a very rainy environment, you would put a rain jacket or a poncho over your entire outfit is not to spoil it for the day- Love protects and covers us as we go throughout our interactions and communication situations.
So daily we should ask yourselves “ What are we wearing?” And “Who are we wearing?”
Whatever way that we need to find time to soak in God’s presence shuffle around our schedule to listen to fit the Holy Spirit and listen to what he wants us to change in ourselves- we need to make it happen daily.