“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-24 NIV)
A qualified manager, employed at a company I worked for in the past, was skipped over more than once when the senior manager position for her department became available. While local management recognized her qualifications and was familiar with her excellent performance, the home office executives, the corporate folks who made the final decision on hiring at the senior level, kept rejecting her as a viable candidate.
The president of the location where I worked as the HR Director sit down with me to discuss what we could do to enhance her chances of getting the top position the next time a vacancy occurred. In our discussion, we came to the conclusion that her outward appearance, specifically her wardrobe, was at the root of the problem. We could have just said, “Oh, well! It is what it is.” But both the president and me were Christians and we shared a principle presented by Christ, “Treat others as you would have them treat you.” You see, Jesus’ teachings are truly applicable in every area of our lives, including the workplace. We decided to pay the fee for an outfit consultant. This is the type of professional consultant who may also be known as a style consultant, a wardrobe specialist, or an image consultant. But I like “outfit consultant” best.
The consultant worked with the manager who aspired to move upward to the senior management position. As I recall accurately, we allocated some discretionary monies to cover the cost for three suits, tailored blouses, and shoes. Please note this was long before the “come as you are,” before the casual everyday option, and before the current relaxed corporate attire days and before the work from home sweatpants days of recent times. To make a longer story short, let me share that the next time the opening came up for the senior management position, she got the job. Praise God! True story!
It is Sunday morning. Let me apply the same principle that motivated the president and I in the true account above. I would not be doing you right if I did not provide you with some contact information for a personal outfit consultant, free of charge.
Make your way to church this morning, and the Lord will clothe you in righteousness! The Lord will clothe you in holiness! The Lord – will clothe you with truth, clothe you with Christ, and clothe you in a way that when people see you, they will think, “Amazing!” They will want what you have! Yet realize that to experience this – you must follow the Supreme Consultant’s advice and change for the better. Look! Don’t feel bad about it! I go to “The Outfit Consultant,” go to the Lord, all the time. And I am glad about it! I’m so much better because of THE OUTFIT CONSULTANT! Not better than you, but better than what I used to be like. I hope we can all testify together, “He changed me!” Won’t He, do it? Yes, He will! Enjoy service in the house of the Lord this morning, my friend! Be blessed!
“For you are all sons and daughters of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” (Galatians 3:26-27 NASB)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King