The Right Clothes to Wear

 I've been thinking about clothing a lot, lately.  Perhaps it is because I've gained so much weight during the summer that nothing fits...maybe it is because I've been watching reels on social media about the latest fall styles, what's in and what's out for women over 50...or it might even be because I'm using retail-therapy to treat my discontent...

Between you and me, I think it is all of the above.

The thing is, I've been spending way too much time and money trying to figure out the right clothes to wear so I'd feel comfortable with myself and with who I am at this point in my life.  And I'm beginning to see that I might be on the wrong track.  

Recently, I read a devotional that spoke to me on this junction.  It talked about a concept called "slow fashion."  It explained how this "slow fashion" movement encourages people to slow down and take a different approach to the dictates of the fashion industry.  Instead of letting oneself be driven by the need to always have the latest look, slow fashion encourages us to select fewer, well-made and ethically sourced items that will last.  The writer of the devotional linked this idea to the truth presented in Colossians 3: 12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  In other words, put on Christ!  Forget about the latest trends, and join the slow journey of sanctification that leads to a peace without understanding, knowing who we are and feeling confident and secured in our identity as children of the Most High.  

All of these ideas reminded me also about our beloved book, Holy Hygge. Creating a Place for People to Gather and the Gospel to Grow by Jamie Erickson, more specifically, about the chapter on contentment.  The author says that our lack of contentment usually comes from the enemy's attempt at distorting our perspective. (p. 155)  We fall for the devil's tricks and start believing that if I could only change my circumstances: get a better job, a nicer house, well-behaved kids, a good husband, friends, boss, body, clothes, health (etc.) life would be bearable.  The truth is, however, the proverbial grass will "never feel green enough or warm enough or fill-in-the-blank enough this side of the second Garden of Eden." (p. 155)  We are not in Heaven.  Life is not supposed to be perfect here on this earth.  But, it is supposed to be abundant!

Jesus holds our hearts, and our souls, and our bodies and who we are in His Hands.  Our identities are safely guarded in Him, and even though the enemy wants to steal our sense of security, and threaten our contentment, we need to remember what Jesus promised in John 10: 10

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

The thing is, the real definition of an abundant/full life is not what the world thinks it is.  We find out what it means as we walk with Jesus every day, on the path that God has laid out for each one of us.  As we walk on it, instead of allowing discontentment to bring us down, we need to remember what author Jamie Erickson says:  "find ways to be grateful for what IS instead of always looking ahead to WHAT IF...[and] let us change perspective.  Let's walk in truth, serve others, and live with gratitude.  Let's not waste another minute complaining about the weather [our health, our bodies, our clothes, our house, our jobs, our kids, our husbands or lack of thereof].  Let's just learn to put on better clothes." (p. 165)

I don't think I'm going to find the right clothes to wear by watching reels on Instagram, or by shopping on Amazon until I'm broke...slow or fast fashion aside, I pray the Lord awakens in me the desire to become who He has designed me to be, as I choose clothes from the wardrobe He has already so graciously given to us: His Word.  In the Precious Name of Jesus, the One Who Clothes us with His Righteousness and Love for His Honor and Glory.  Amen!