Wear This Not That

Could you be wearing the wrong clothes today? Could you have grabbed something from your closet, something you often put on, and left the house without giving it a second thought? I went to dinner and a band concert with my kids last night and noticed my oldest son Justin wearing Chuck Taylors. Spanking new, white Chucks. Just like we used to wear “back in the day.” What I didn’t know is that they were killing his feet. As we waited for the concert to start he took one off in shock and held it out to show me. Somehow they gave him shoes 3 1/2 sizes too small. The store must have had the wrong shoe size in the box. No wonder they hurt. They didn’t fit…at all.

I heard a pastor say recently that many of us run out the house wearing the wrong thing. The Bible says, “Put on the garment of praise” and yet too often we put on the old jacket of worry and doubt. The Bible says “God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is a life or death fight to the finish against the devil and all his angels. 

Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open.” Eph. 6:11-18 The Message

Many of us at this time of year clean out clothes and shoes we used to wear and donate them. Not a bad idea, but how about this? Let’s reach into our “spiritual closet” and start throwing away stuff we should never be wearing anyway. Anxiety. Toss it. Put praise on. Bitterness shoes. Those raggedy things? Toss them and walk in in the new shoes of forgiveness. You love that old jacket of fear? Get rid of it. (And don’t give it to someone else). Again, put praise on. Can’t find your garment of praise? Ok, just put on a sweater of thanksgiving. I KNOW you have that. Everybody does. I bet then you’ll find your praise. What you wear today is YOUR choice. 

As retro-cool as his Chucks are, I’m sure Justin’s definitely not wearing those shoes again. And today I’m choosing to take my worry and anxiety out to the trash while I put on praise. Have a great week folks.

There’s No Place Like Hope,

Stefan