Something to think about…
There were several kids and even some teachers walking around the school this morning wearing pajamas. As we entered the school, I thought we were lost and somehow ended up at Walmart, where pajamas in public is acceptable attire. In reality, it is just “spirit week” in our community. I'm not sure who came up with the idea, but our children wear “interesting” outfits to show their school spirit.
Normally we wouldn't send our kids to school in pajamas, but today is a special exception. However, it reminded me of the numerous times we've looked at our children and said, “You are not going out wearing that.” They inevitably retort, “Why not! What's wrong with what I'm wearing?” Because… those clothes are dirty, you've been wearing that same shirt for four days, it is freezing outside so you can't wear shorts and sandals… well you get the idea. It is amazing how many battles we have over something as simple as clothing. The struggle is real. At the heart of it, we know what our children are wearing is a reflection on us and we don't want any calls from CPS because our children appear neglected.
I sometimes wonder if our Heavenly Father feels the same way. If we listen closely, I think we'll often hear Him say, “You're not really going out wearing that, are you?” Of course, He is not as concerned with our clothes as He is with our spiritual covering. In Colossians 3, Paul tells us to “take off the old self with its practices and put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” God has provided new clothing for us. We need to take off our old clothes; old attitudes, mindsets, priorities, and practices so that we can put on the new. As Paul goes on to write:
“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.” (Colossians 3:12-14 NIV)
What are you wearing? We are connected to Christ. We represent Him in this world. May we stop trying to spiritually dress ourselves with those dirty old clothes we find lying around. Instead I pray that we put on the clothing that He paid for and picked out for us. We will look and feel so much better!