Toddlers love the activity of dressing themselves. My daughter says, Mommy, I do it all myself! She runs into her room and shuts the door. It is always an adventure to see what she comes out wearing. A few minutes later, she runs out of her room with a proud smile on her face and arms outstretched. Her pink polka dot shirt is backwards with her striped rainbow pants somehow put on in the right direction.
In the bible, God has much to say in his word on how we can clothe ourselves spiritually. Colossians 3:12-13 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.” Another verse says, “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” (Prov 31:25-26)
As a mom, I feel like I can barely get my regular clothes on before putting on the clothes of all the children. How am I supposed to find the time to clothe myself with things like patience, gentleness and forgiveness when I can barely get a new pair of pants on for the day? How does one clothe themselves with such things like virtue and strength?
The answer of how we can clothe ourselves is not as hard as one might think. Firstly, it takes about one minute of surrender of our will and time. Secondly, it takes the power of our Heavenly Father. As the daughter of the High King, we have a Daddy who knows much more of how to clothe us than we do ourselves. Many times, we, like our little ones, say Daddy, I can do it all myself! We try to put on humility, gentleness, kindness or forgiveness. To us it seems we put these virtues on the right way, but in the end, we can put them on in a slightly backwards direction. Our intentions end up falling short- our humility ultimately put on so we look like “good” person or our kindness is self-serving. God says, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matt 7:7) We are in need of asking; Daddy I need your help getting dressed. Can you put compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience on me the right way? When we ask for these things, our heavenly Father is eagerly waiting at the door of our hearts to help us put our spiritual clothes on the right way for the day. What specifically can you ask God to clothe you with today?
Your worth is immeasurable. You have been bought with a price. You are loved.
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