Some of my undergrads asked me if I have any clothes other than blue shirts and khaki pants. And if I do, why don’t I wear them? Well, I don’t. I have no problem getting dressed in the morning. I don’t stand there and say, “Humm, shall I wear this blue shirt or that blue shirt.” I grab the one that’s closest. It is kind of boring, but it works.
This morning I read Colossians 3 and came across a marvelous verse. Paul wrote, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Please note this is not getting up in the morning and deciding which of these we will wear today. We don’t say, “On Monday I will wear compassion, on Tuesday kindness, on Wednesday humility.” Oh no. Every day we wear them all. Every day we are gentle and patient. What is amazing about this wardrobe is it never gets boring. Undergrads are not going to ask if I have any other clothes. Compassion and kindness always work. They never go out of style. Humility and gentleness never get threadbare. Patience never loses its buttons. This is one great wardrobe.
Paul even adds some more to it. He wrote, “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love.” Well there it is, the all purpose coat that covers the rest of the wardrobe. It’s love. Love is stylish and expensive. When it is worn we look marvelous. I have never ever in all my decades seen someone who loves not look like a million dollars.
Written by Roger Bothwell on July 16, 2009
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
rogerbothwell.org