Have you heard the phrase “dress for the job you want, not the job you have?” In essence, it is saying if you want to life your life on the bottom floor of the office building then don’t care about what you wear. But if you want to succeed as a business man then don’t show up in ripped jeans. If you are to apply for a job you dress appropriately, first impressions make the difference.
As believers if we want to reach others we need to ‘dress’ ourselves for it. If we continue to ‘dress’ ourselves like the world does they won’t see any difference. Lets change dress to how we act, how we present ourselves, our business practices, how we treat our family’s, friends and the poor.
“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”
Colossians 3:12 NLT
God chose us, how awesome is that! But then I read “you must” which to me tells me that we have a part to play. We must clothe ourselves with good things. If we want our lives to reflect Jesus, we don’t want to be walking around in filthy rags of bitterness, un-forgiveness, anger, judgment and pain. We wouldn’t be much of an example of the God who saves us, who chose us.
No, we are called to clothe ourselves to be like him. Kindness to those who don’t deserve our kindness. Tender hearted mercy to those who need it or don’t feel they need it. Removing our pride and being humble in what we do not working to build ourselves up but the kingdom. Gentleness, guarding our tongue as it can be used to cut, but we need to use it to heal and love. And patience as we in this day and age are rushing through life, pushing from one task to the next, sometimes we need to be patient with our surroundings and trust God knows what he is doing.
We will only see a new passion in our lives if we start living in the freedom and new life given to us by God. When we throw off the dirty rags and put on the clothe God offers we can then share our faith. As we step out in this new life our passion will ignite a we share the love of Jesus with those around us, in whatever means God has called you to share. You are going to stand out, you will no longer look like those around you. You will be a light in the darkness.
So today when your coworkers and friends see you are you clothed in fifty rags or dressed in a garment God has called you to wear?
Dear Jesus, take my filthy rags, don’t just put them in the laundry to be used another day, burn them. I don’t want to be seen as that man anymore. I want to be like you, tender hearted, humble, patient, gentle and kind. Holy Spirit work these characteristics into my life and create something beautiful to showcase who God is in my life. Let those around me see Jesus in me daily. Amen
50 Days of Pray 