What’s In Your Wardrobe?
I cleaned out my closet this week. This isn’t something I practice on a regular basis and haven’t been inspired or persuaded to do it. I put it on a to-do list and procrastinated. Since it’s July, we’ll call it impeded spring cleaning. Sounds slightly better than being lazy and unmotivated.
As I was sorting through clothes, making decisions about what to keep and what to donate, I found myself asking these questions:
- Does it fit?
- Do I like it?
- Is it still in style?
- Do I feel good in it?
- How does it look on me?
- How long has it been since I’ve worn it?
Part of the reason I procrastinate on going through and getting rid of clothes is because I don’t want to mentally invest the time into answering those questions. And also, a big part is because it reminds me that I haven’t done a great job on sticking to an exercise plan and getting in shape.
But this week also inspired me to think about my spiritual shape and what I’m “wearing”, what I “put on”. Romans 13:14 says, “…clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ….” and Colossians 3:12-15 says, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”
So, I decided to ask myself the same questions about my spiritual attire, what God asks us to put on, to clothe ourselves in.
- Does it fit? Have I outgrown compassion or kindness?
- Do I like it? Do I like being humble?
- Is it still in style? Do I care if others are being gentle and patient?
- Do I feel good in it? How does forgiving someone feel? Do I feel like loving someone?
- How does it look on me? What does peace and thankfulness look like on me?
- How long has it been since I’ve worn it? When was the last time I showed Jesus?
Going through this inventory of my holy garments has brought me to these conclusions:
First, obviously if these aren’t fitting well, I must ask myself, “What needs adjusting in my life so I can wear these?” And if I’m keeping all these things, what do I need to get rid of to update my wardrobe?
Second, Scripture is also clear on what to “take off”. Colossians 3: 5-10 says, “Put off, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”
That’s a pretty big list. But don’t get caught up in all that, because of these promises in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” and Colossians 3:1-4, “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”
Did you catch that? Since we’ve been raised with Christ, those old things died with Him. So, no need to procrastinate spring cleaning any longer! The old has already been discarded. You’ve already received a new wardrobe and you can wear it in all its glory.
Trish Weeks
Teacher, Leader, Pastor
