11. Dress right…
Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tender-hearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience… Above all, clothe yourself with love, which binds us together in perfect harmony.
Colossians 3:12-14
Jesus often uses weddings to illustrate his stories and today I thought I’d do the same! Let’s look at the preparation of the bride (guys, please bear with me!) as we think about our preparations for service.
When I got married, I took a great deal of time preparing myself. I spent hours in material shops choosing the fabric for my dress. My mum and I laboured at the sewing machine, crafting a dress suitable for a bride. I hunted for the right shoes (that would make me a bit taller!). It was important that I presented myself to my almost husband as beautiful. Make-up, hair-do, flowers – everything had to be just right for my man.
The wedding industry has evolved into big business today. A young bride will spend thousands on the right dress; the venue booking and reception add thousands more because this is a very important and special day.
How much more important is it for us to prepare ourselves to serve Jesus, our Lord and Saviour? But he is not interested in the outward appearance:
You should clothe yourself with the beauty that comes from within.
1 Peter 3:4
The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.
1 Samuel 16:7
When Paul writes to the church at Colossae, he instructs them to clothe themselves with mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. But, above all, clothe yourselves with love which binds us all together in perfect harmony. (Colossians 3:14)
We have considered what love looks like already, but here we consider love as a foundation piece of clothing that we must put on in order that the rest can “hang” properly on us. It is love that enables us all to live in harmony with each other and serve each other well.
Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions…. Let us continue to love one another because love comes from God…. Since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other…. We love each other because he first loved us.
1 John 3:18; 4:7; 4:11; 4:19
Take a moment to think about your motivation for service. Is it to look good, to fulfil your duty, to receive a reward? Or are you motivated purely and simply by love for God and others?
Prayer: Lord, clothe me with your love first and foremost so that I can show mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience to those I serve in your name.
Amen
Action: Today, get dressed spiritually by putting on your foundation garment of love before you add on mercy, courage, humility, kindness, gentleness…
Journal your thoughts:
