A New Wardrobe

Not long ago, it was prom time at the Lockwood Lair.  Two of our three daughters headed out for a night of fun with their friends.  I think one of the hardest parts of preparing for that night was dress shopping.  Abbie and Alex tried on close to twenty dresses each, several during a trip to Missouri.  They both have different tastes, but for fun they would try on the same dress.  What looked great on one made the other one look like they were playing dress up.  As I was watching the dress picking process and giving my humble opinion as a mom, I couldn't help but think of the verses in Colossians 3 that talk about our spiritual wardrobe.  

When we become Christians, Christ-followers, we are given a new wardrobe.  Our old sinful nature doesn't fit us any more.  Paul says in Colossians 3:9-10 (The Message) "You're done with that old life.  It's like a filthy set of ill-fitting clothes you've stripped off and put in the fire.  Now you are dressed in a new wardrobe." God strips us of that old life and gives us a new one.  We undergo a transformation.  I love the illustration of throwing our ill-fitting clothes in a fire.  It means we are completely getting rid of it never to wear it again.  Besides, who doesn't want a new wardrobe?  

Paul continues in verse 11 saying, "Every item in your new wardrobe is custom made by the Creator, with His label on it. The old fashions are now obsolete ... from now on every one is defined by Christ ..."  I can just imagine the label saying "Made especially for you, handcrafted by the Father."  We are no longer defined by the world, but by God.  We are chosen by Him for a new life of love.

Paul even tells us the items that are in our new wardrobe.  In Colossians 3:12-14 he instructs us to "Dress in the wardrobe God has picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense.  Forgive as quickly as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear LOVE (emphasis mine).  It is your basic all-purpose garment. Never be without it."  As I write this, I'm being convicted.  Am I always "wearing" love?  Do I show compassion? Humility? Am I disciplined?  No, no, no and NO.  Why not? I think sometimes I try to pull out my old wardrobe.  I look in the mirror and see my new clothes through the lenses of my past.  I let the past dictate what I will wear, sometimes trying to mix and match the two wardrobes.  Ill fitting clothes DO NOT go with custom made, tailored ones.  I think that is why Paul instructs us to "burn" them.  We can't wear them again and shouldn't want to either.  

A new spiritual wardrobe is ours for the asking.  God is waiting to dress us; all we have to do is trust Him and let Him do the work.  We are the most beautiful version of ourselves when we are dressed in Christ's love and righteousness.

Embrace life to the fullest,
Stefaney

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