What to Wear?

“What to Wear?” Ephesians 6: 10-18 Question for the men today: How much thought actually went into your wardrobe choice today? Perhaps your wife or loved one suggested what to wear today? Maybe they even picked out your outfit for you! Someone may have secretly chosen your outfit, knowing it would coordinate perfectly with their own. Truth is, most (not all) men put very little thought into what they wear every day. Men rarely lose sleep over their clothing choices. Men do not spend weeks, or even days most of the time, planning their outfit prior to an event like we gals do. Listen up, men, here is a glimpse into what women go through. I recently attended a family wedding. Weeks before the special event, I started thinking about what to wear! Dress or pantsuit. Good place to start. Summer. I chose a dress. Sleeves or sleeveless? Again, summer. Sleeveless (and good thing as it was 94⁰ that day). Shoes. Sandals. Open or closed toe? Match or accent the dress? Color? Most often, color is the main deciding factor. And, ahh, the accessories. Accessories are key here. Purse. Handbag or clutch? Again, color. Match or accent? It’s always nice if the shoes and purse match. Jewelry. Hair. Makeup. Endless details to consider. And, beware! One small change can lead to complete alteration of everything! Think of a bride! Women surely can recall the preparations, decisions and details that a wedding entails. Brides can try on numerous dresses, only to end up selecting her original choice. The first one she first fell in love with. The one that she felt was the “perfect fit,” in all ways, for her. Created just for her. Perhaps even the one she dreamed of as a little girl. (Side note: Men typically do not choose the attire for the men in the wedding party; it’s the bride who chooses!) Clothing. Our choice in clothing is determined by many things. Seasons and climate. Comfort. Our mood. Our health. Occupation. Financial and social status. The day’s planned activities. Are we lounging at home or headed to work? It’s fascinating really when we think about it. We can gather much information simply by examining someone’s outfit. Police officers, firemen and military personnel are dressed in uniforms that identify immediately their profession. We know what they do simply by looking at them. We know that their uniforms and professions command respect. Involve danger. An officer can stop an 18-wheeler simply by raising his/her hand. Those in the medical field can be identified by their clothing. Office workers, laborers, priests, the list goes on and on! This was evident throughout the Bible even. Kings, queens and rulers could be identified by their attire. Slaves. Egyptians. Hebrews. Wealthy. Needy. Color was (and is today) an important, identifying feature. Brides typically wear a shade of white. Those grieving may wear black or darker colors. Purple was signature for royalty in the Bible. White with peace, divinity and renewal and life. The Book of Genesis tells of the first outfit ever designed. Genesis 3:21, “The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them” (NIV). Many have pondered the reason for the first outfit created. Was it because Adam and Eve knew they were naked and felt shame? Or, was it simpler? God loved and cared for them so much that He wanted to protect them. Even when they sinned and ate from the forbidden tree of knowledge, God did not forget or abandon them. He provided an extra layer of protection. Layers. We know what layers are. Usually we are “layering” our wardrobe in the colder months before heading out into frigid temperatures. Thermals and the like. An extra layer or two to ensure warmth. Really, without much thinking, we just “know” to put these garments on first. We don’t spend hours trying to figure out layers. There isn’t really a huge selection of layers. Color typically doesn’t matter. No extra planning. We know that if we do not layer up, we won’t be as protected from the harsh elements. It’s a no-brainer. We don’t sit around wondering “which layers should I wear today?” We don’t pull our layers out of our drawers the night before and set them out in hopes to remember. Those that work, play or hunt in the cold will tell us it’s not the outer layer that matters so much; it’s the first layer. The layer closest to the core and organs to ensure overall protection. So, how much time do we spend thinking about our first “layer” of the day? Sadly, most of us spend too much time thinking about the outer, and not the inner, clothing. As Christians, we need to focus on the first layer. Every single day. Unlike thermals, Christian clothing should be worn daily. Never taken off. Not slipped on and off like an outer layer. Christian clothing is consistent. We wear the same color as other Christians. The color of Christ. It should identify and set us apart from others. Not that we are better than others by any means; it simply means we can all walk together when wearing Christ. Better together. Our Christian clothing should be inviting to others. 24/7. Not just when convenient to wear. Not hung up Monday through Saturday and put on only on Sundays. How and why would others want to put on the clothes we wear if we are only wearing them when we feel they are “in style”? Remember that one kid in school that always seemed to show up on the first day in something totally different than the other kids? The outfit made some smirk and shake their heads. Kids would whisper. We all know, though that deep down–DEEP down, we envied that kid’s confidence and strength in wearing something that would surely set him apart from the rest. Despite the ridicule and shunning from others. We see this today in our Christian walk all too often, don’t we? So, where does one shop for such clothing? What exactly is Christian clothing? How does one take care of such clothes? The Bible, as always, provides the perfect instruction manual. We are reminded in Ephesians 4 as Paul tells us that we are (verse 23-24) “to be made new in the new attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self , created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” This is done through the baptism and belief in Jesus Christ and in the Holy Spirit. Only then are we truly made new. Galatians 5 tells us what we need to complement our new outfits in Christ. The fruits of the Spirit (verse 22) love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. “Against such things there is no law.” There we have it. Always in style per the Bible. Colossians 3:12 mentions humility. Being humble is another wonderful layer. Christ was humble. Why in today’s world do we want to mesh “meekness” with “weakness”? I hardly think Christ is viewed as being weak. He tossed tables in the temple when angry. He calmed the wind and waves. He was tempted 40 days with the devil in His face constantly. He was ridiculed. Rejected. He experienced loneliness, hunger and fatigue. Jesus states in Matthew 11:29, “Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Nowhere does it say I am “weak and lowly in heart.” He was humble to the end. Humble as the nails pierced His flesh. There is great strength in meekness. Yes, the Christian outfit must include a layer of “meekness.” In addition to extending and inviting comfort and warmth to others, our Chrisitan clothing reflects something else. Protection. Protection from what? Today’s Scripture (Ephesians 6:10-18) reminds us we need protection. Protection from warfare. Putting on the full armour of God will protect us from the evil one and the situations and manipulations he tosses our way to steer us off course. Things to derail, discourage and direct us more toward the world. And away from God. Things to sever our marriages, families and relationships. Remember, the Bible says Satan prowls, looking to devour. The only thing he is great at is deceiving. A great destroyer of all things good and in Christ. Colossians 3 also tells us to rid ourselves of anger, rage, malice, slander and filthy language. We are to slip OFF these layers. Beware, these are the clothes Satan will encourage you to wear. We must be cautious when around others. When the above traits are exercised, it is easy to slip into the clothing others are wearing. I find gossip to be one of the most deceiving layers of all. Satan will have us believe we are vindicated in gossip when it involves the sins of others. That we are somehow “justified” in pointing out and sharing their faults with others. It is not always fashionable to wear what “everyone else is wearing.” Fashion. Christian clothing is not always “in style.” Nor is it always “comfy” as we know. More often than not, Christian layers hurt. They pinch, bind and pull at us. At times the clothing is so confining and restrictive, we just want to take it off. When we put on our Christian clothes, you can bet others will be watching. If we want others to dress as followers of Christ, we must not strip our layers when the going gets tough. More so, we must exude qualities and Christ-like traits when our clothes are feeling tight and too small; meaning, we must not leave at home the fruits of the Spirit. The accessories! As Galatians states, against such things there is no law! Can we really ever have too much kindness and goodness? Like a favorite pair of shoes, we must slip into the fruits each and every day. At first, new shoes are not comfortable. They need to be broken into. Worn every day. They become our favorite pair. The pair we cannot live without. I had a pair like this once. I had these shoes for years. I mean YEARS!! Tattered and faded. I felt like a million bucks in these. I wasted no time in telling everyone the brand and how great they were. How well they withstood time and harsh conditions in the hopes others would want to rush out and get a pair. Yes, our walk with Christ needs to be such that others cannot wait to try on these layers. Walk in these shoes. There will be days where our layers on the inside are too hot and uncomfortable, but we must make sure the world sees our faithfulness in putting these layers on daily. Get up and get dressed! Put on the armour of God. Bbreastplate of righteousness . For we are made righteous in Christ. Feet fit with the Gospel of peace. Our steps sure and steady as we know who is in control. Don’t forget the shield of faith. It is this shield that deflects the arrows Satan will fire at us daily. Don’t forget the hat. The helmet of salvation. Our crowning glory and reminder of the loving sacrifice made for us. Our sword. The Word of God. What provides great support and lift? What can hold it all together? A belt. Make sure your belt of truth is buckled firm and tight. Even if it pinches a bit. Never take the belt off! I forgot to mention how we are to care for and clean these new layers. No dry cleaning necessary. Our Christian clothing was laundered. Once! Never to need cleaning again, no matter how much we soil them. They were soiled and stained at one time. Our dirty laundry was made new when our loving Father in Heaven slipped off His own divine clothes and exchanged them for swaddling layers. Where He placed Himself in a dirty manger to be one of us. For us. He was stripped of His clothing and draped with a makeshift, mocking king’s robe. He was crowned. With thorns. His broken body was lowered from the cross and lovingly prepared for burial and wrapped in a blood- and tear-stained shroud. He was laid to rest in a cold, dark tomb. On the third day, He stripped off the blood-stained layers that held the sins of the world and slipped into a garment of glory. For all. For all time. Whatever the world brings our way, we can be assured that, with the proper layering, we will be protected. We must not forget to put on the most important layer of all. LOVE. “Above all, clothe yourselves with LOVE” (Colossians 3:14). janet