DRESSING APPROPRIATELY ON MY SUMMIT

As one advances in years, there may be a tendency to become careless about appearance and apparel. I should maintain carefully all aspects about my person in the latter season of life as much as I did when I was younger.

By all means, carelessness in appearance shouldn't carry over into my spiritual life. I would be fastidious about selecting my wardrobe if I were to have an audience with royalty or be invited to meet with the president or some other important person. The Word of God gives me some instructions about protocol when showing up for my immensely more important summit meetings with the Lord.

What is appropriate when I come into the presence of God? Must I change my selection according to the season--or according to my season of life? Shall I wear the spirit of heaviness? Or the garment of praise? (Isaiah 61:3) What is more fitting for the occasion? The former seems too weighty for the rarified atmosphere at my summit. 

 

I admit that sometimes I do start to approach the Lord with a spirit of heaviness because of discouragement, physical weariness, the length of life's journey, or emotional pressures and stress. I join the Psalmist to question myself, “Why are you cast down (in despair, sunk down), O my soul (my inner self), and why have you become disturbed (disquieted, moaning) within me?” And then I answer myself with assurance and trust: “Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence” (Psalm 42:5 combining words from the Amplified version).

I am to “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise” (Psalm 100:4). At the gate the Lord has provided a changing room where I can “put on the garment of praise.” He hands me a “garland (ornament or diadem) of beauty in exchange for ashes” and anoints me with “the oil of gladness instead of mourning” (Isaiah 61:3).

This opportunity to change my apparel allows me to enter His royal presence with singing instead of sighing, with a light step instead of dragging my feet. My summit meetings with God may then become a time of refreshing and restoration and revive my drooping spirit whatever my season of life.

DESIGNER CLOTHES

What shall I wear today, Lord?

I have a closet full of clothes

but I don't know what I'll face.

What appointments lie ahead?

Shall I wear blue denim or lace?

I just can't decide.

Lord, will You choose

my proper outfit?

I'm sure You will provide

whatever is in vogue and classy.

It will be fine with me

I know I'll be a hit.

Well, thanks—I guess.

What You chose does match:

military helmet and boots

all in camouflage

coordinating accessories

a belt of truth—

but a sword to use?

I can't really say

that I expected armor!

Something lighter perhaps

chic and trendy

even chosen in haste

would have been

more to my taste.

But You know best

what I will meet

in the marketplace

and on the street

that needs a shield

breastplate and sword

out on the field

of my day.

I feel secure now.

Come what may

I'll wear Your battle gear

more proudly than mink or sable

because this ensemble carries

Your designer label!

(Ephesians 6:10-18)