What are You Wearing?

My mother used to make cakes similar to the one above for my (blonde & taller) younger sister and myself for our birthdays.  Talk about a Happy Meal - it's a full sized doll with your favorite cake wrapped around it!  Those were good times.  Now that I'm decades into adulthood, the notion of the cake that wrapped itself around my thighs is not nearly as sweet.  Good ole days indeed.

This morning, I was drawn to Colossians 3:1-17 in my handy YouVersion Bible App.  We aren't called to be clothed in birthday cake (sadly), but we are called to take off and put on other things now that we're walking as spiritually whole and healthy folks.  It begins at the top of our head - with what we set our minds upon and what we seek, our focus.  Then we are to starve out selfish, rebellious, harmful desires because those longings keep the fellowship of the Spirit at a distance, diminishing our life and all the blessings attached.  We are to guard not only what we consume, but also what we commit - our words, our attitudes, our honesty.  It's a stripping off the old rags, the spirit of heaviness (Isaiah 61:3), and anything that's in the way (Hebrews 12:1-3) so the garment of praise, the new self, the prince/princess attire as coheirs of the King can be rightly fitted and display the new creatures we are.  

As the Kyle Matthews song says, 

"you don't wear your old shoes on your brand new feet."

No, toss those nasty coverings to the side.  

They're not worthy of the King's children.  He has something better for you to don.

"...put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience [which has the power to endure whatever injustice or unpleasantness comes, with good temper]; bearing graciously with one another, and willingly forgiving each other if one has a cause for complaint against another; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so should you forgive. Beyond all these things put on and wrap yourselves in [unselfish] love, which is the perfect bond of unity [for everything is bound together in agreement when each one seeks the best for others]. Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body [of believers]. And be thankful [to God always]. Let the [spoken] word of Christ have its home within you [dwelling in your heart and mind—permeating every aspect of your being] as you teach [spiritual things] and admonish and train one another with all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus [and in dependence on Him], giving thanks to God the Father through Him." 

(beginning middle of verse 12 through 17 of Colossians 3 as referenced above, AMP)

Jotting with Johnna

• What are you wearing on your mind, soul, spirit, inner and outward appearance?
• What items do you need to replace to sport a suitable spiritual and behavioral attire?
• How might a full strip-down and suit-up from the foundation "garments" help the rest of your identity in Christ "fit better?"
• How might this practice of clothing yourself prepare you for the addition of the armor of God?

Remember:  you are so very worthy to doff those old, smelly yearnings and habits because your adoption is sealed and paid for by the Prince of Peace Himself.  Royal robes of sonship and daughtership await you; and it's no dress rehearsal.

Stay tuned.  Stay focused.  Stay well.