“So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.” (Colossians 3:12-14 MSG)
In my Daddy’s senior years, after retirement, he stayed busy working at the church, whether it was physical work or church business work or even teaching other seniors and mentoring younger men. When he went home to glory, we lost a great member. He was do devoted and dedicated to the growth of our church, so much so that we named our Education Center after him. I miss him as a father and as a faithful member who fostered the growth of the family of God. He had all the “T” words covered! He gave his tithes and above. He unselfishly gave of his time for the sake of the kingdom. And he used his various talents, better yet “gifts” as his talent were transformed into the latter by the Holy Spirit. If we lacked a musician at any time, he would jump on the organ and play some of his favorite hymns.
Excuse me if I took up your time in honoring Daddy, but saints like him deserve such an honor. But I really want to talk about his olive green polyester pants. It seemed that he wore those pants every day except Sunday or at events that called for a different level of attire. Now being honest, I used to say to myself, “Why is he always wearing those pants?” The answer came to me last week. It was simply that they were comfortable to him. How do I know that was the answer? It did not come to me in a dream. He did not speak to me from heaven above. Here is how I know. I find that at least four days out of seven, I’m wearing these brown, corduroy like, lounging pants. I wear them to the store. I wear them while running errands. I wear them to choir rehearsal. I wear them to pick up my prescriptions at the clinic. I wear them in all seasons of the year. My wife could say without regret, “My Lord! He wears them pants all the time!” My retort in such an imaginary scenarios would include the following. “It is not because I am lazy. It is not because I am a senior citizen. No, it is because they make me comfortable, just like Daddy’s olive green polyester pants.” Truth is, I have them on right now! Smile!
Here is the serious part for you! The opening and closing verses describe some of the things you and me should definitely wear every day on every occasion, and we should feel comfortable about it! Read today’s verses at least twice and meditate on them for a little while. Have a spiritually, stylish, stupendous Friday! Be blessed!
“A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For weare not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:13-17 NLT)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King