Clothing Myself

I couldn’t decide what to wear this morning. Ever have that problem? It’s 30 degrees outside, so I need to dress warmly. But it’s 70 degrees at my office, so I aim for warm layers. Then again, I have youth group tonight at church so I want to look cute, unless the youth minister decides to play a game, which means I will wish I was dressed practically and had tennis shoes.

Balancing these rambling thoughts proved tricky , especially since I was still anchored in bed under my covers. I ventured into the closet, rummaged through my pile of sweaters, made a decision, and topped it all off with a scarf.

I went about the rest of my morning routine and sang Before the Throne of God Above on my way to work. As I pulled into the parking lot, I took a quiet moment to reflect on what today may have in store for me. Wednesdays have the potential of becoming emotionally exhausting since I only have a ten minute car ride between work and volunteering with the youth group to put the frustrations of the day behind me and find a new energy, passion, and patience for the night’s events.

The Lord brought to mind a verse from Colossians 3:12-15

Therefore, God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, PUT ON heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive. Above all, PUT ON love – the perfect bond of unity. And let the peace of the Messiah, to which you were also called in one body, control your hearts. Be thankful.

Other versions translate “put on” as “clothe.” Here are two quick lists recapping what this chapter tells us:

What to Wear:

• heartfelt compassion
• kindness
• humility
• gentleness
• patience
• acceptance
• forgiveness
• love

What not to Wear: (From Colossians 3:5-9)

• sexual immorality
• impurity
• lust
• evil desire
• greed
• anger
• wrath
• malice
• slander
• filthy language
• lies

I may have succeeding in assembling a cute outfit this morning. But did I clothe myself with the virtues of Christ that really matter? This is a question, and a passage of Scripture, that I need to memorize and recite to myself in the mornings. What have you clothed yourself with this morning?