For the next few weeks, Ann has challenged the Walk with Him Wednesday participaters to write on the the practice of habits... and when I first read that, this - one of the very first Bible studies I taught to the ladies at our Harobanda church - immediately popped into mind. And when I say pop, I don't mean it in a cliché-ish sort of way. Instead, picture kernels of popcorn in an air popper that blow around and around until all of the sudden they explode and transform from a hard kernel into a fluffy, air-filled burst of "corn-y" goodness, especially when dressed up a bit with salt and butter...
That Bible study was on Colossians 3:12 - 14.
According to dictionary.com, a habit is:
- an acquired behavior pattern regularly followed until it has become almost involuntary.
- customary practice or use.
- a particular practice, custom, or usage.
- a dominant or regular disposition or tendency; prevailing character or quality.
- addiction, especially to narcotics
- mental character or disposition.
- characteristic bodily or physical condition.
- the characteristic form, aspect, mode of growth, etc., of an organism.
- the characteristic crystalline form of a mineral.
- garb of a particular rank, profession, religious order, etc.
- the attire worn by a rider of a saddle horse.
Now, read the verses referenced above:
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 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, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
So... what about those words "pops" so dramatically?
Three words - "clothe" and "put on."
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 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, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
In other words... "GET DRESSED!"
What could be more habit-ish than getting dressed? Everyone I know gets up in the morning and changes into something s/he considers acceptable to wear out in public. I don't know anyone who regularly spends every day in his/her jammies or undergarments only.
God gives us a dress code! And what are we supposed to wear?
compassion
kindness
gentleness
patience (or long-suffering-ness)
forgiveness
love
This attire proclaims: "This gal? She's a Jesus-follower."
As women, we generally care about what we wear; we devote significant time and attention to how we clothe ourselves when we go out (especially if we are out on a date with our guy, going to church, or attending some sort of important function, etc.) Just as we pay much attention to our physical clothing and our physical appearance when we are out in public, God directs us to make spiritual "clothing" a top priority.
Want to see an interesting truth about the command to "clothe yourself?"
In the original Greek, it implies this context: In the beginning, just like an infant, we need someone to first clothe us; as we grow, it is something we learn to do ourselves. First we need help physically/mechanically. Then we need help learning how to match individual items together in a pleasing combinations. Finally, we need help selecting what is appropriate for differing occasions. I wonder if Paul, when he wrote these words, also thought of that same progression?
I wonder how my relationship with the Lord might grow if each day I specifically asked - and then allowed - Him to clothe me with compassion, kindness, gentleness, patience, forgiveness and above all, love? I wonder how my relationships with others might improve if I spent as much time and attention each morning on preparing to exhibit Christ through these qualities as I do arranging my actual physical appearance?
Initial judgments and first impressions form, often based on that first view. In that first view, what we immediately notice is how someone is dressed... sometimes even before we can distinctly see facial features or clearly hear words.
Initial judgments and first impressions form, often based on that first view. In that first view, what we immediately notice is how someone is dressed... sometimes even before we can distinctly see facial features or clearly hear words.
What if these were the first and most lasting "clothing" people noticed about me?
compassion
kindness
gentleness
patience (or long-suffering-ness)
forgiveness
love
(Edited from the archives,
original post 21 June 2007)
I want to be "dressed" in those qualities too. How true about putting more time and effort into cultivating these things just like we put time and effort into our physical appearance.
ReplyDeletefunny thing - getting dressed really takes very little time on most days... and you can tell i spend not enough time with that spiritual clothing on most days, too. seems hypocritical to tell my girlies that a pretty heart is much more attractive than a pretty face... and then not do the work myself, eh?
Deletethanks for stopping by today!