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“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness and patience, bearing with one another and , if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive,  and above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”  Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV)

Before I lay my head on the softest pillow ever and drift off to sleep, I’m staring at my clothes hanging on the rack trying to decide what to wear.  You see if I don’t make this decision at night it will take me forever to decide in the morning.  Why?  I’m not really sure… but I could stand and stare at those clothes, touch and feel them and then hang them right back up. And that sweet friends is why I make the choice before the rush of early dawn.

While there are a lot of optional clothing choices to make every day, the most important spiritual choice we face is to live as God’s chosen, holy and beloved children.  Yes, it’s a choice we make from the moment we open our eyes until we lay our head to rest.  It’s an intentional, deliberate decision to “put” on His character.  That’s right sweet friends it requires action on our part to  showcase His love to our world versus zero in on self. So much easier to allow “me” to rule over my actions, reactions, words, thoughts and feelings.  It’s our natural default, and we don’t even have to think too hard about it.

Choosing to reflect God to our world is the most beautiful way to clothe  ourselves. Filled with deep compassion for those who are suffering births hope and encouragement.  Gentle words rather than loud, harsh rebukes draws others in rather than pushing them away. Removing the blinders and seeing ourselves in light of our sinfulness release us from pride and arrogance.  Purposefully choosing to be level headed and even tempered in the midst of a heated battle always serves us well.  And then there’s that patience thing – you know waiting for a long time and not being annoyed, remaining calm, enduring the unpleasant whether it’s for us or someone else’s benefit.  Wow patience is definitely not easy.  Graciously releasing others for the wrongs they’ve done to us cultivates a grateful heart for the forgiveness God has extended to us.  And the one thing that holds it all together is love – God’s love interweaves all our differences into one body moving in perfect harmony.

While the decision to live as God’s chosen rest on us, the power to reflect God rest on His filling.  As His children, we have the Holy Spirit living within us to teach, guide, lead and empower us to rise above self and reflect Him. Sweet friends this is why I make the choice before the rush of early dawn to be more like Him and less like me. And for those moments when the old me rises to the surface, I’m thankful for His never-ending mercy and grace.

“Father, our world is desperately seeking You even if they don’t realize it. Nothing will satisfy, no one can take Your place.  Help us to shine Your light in the darkness and draw others to Your saving grace.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life