Most of us have enjoyed shopping at some time in our life. Me? I enjoy shopping for specific things. Give me a mission to find an outfit at a bargain price and I am thrilled. Then, when I put on that outfit and receive positive comments about it, well, satisfaction is guaranteed. Today let's think about what the Holy Spirit is asking us to put on.
Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience are the pieces of an outfit that compliments everyone. The one wearing the outfit becomes a shining example of Jesus Christ to everyone that sees it. What person could offend or hurt someone, when their life is clothed with these qualities?
Take a look at what you have put on today. Have you clothed yourself with compassion towards your husband, or has anger entered your relationship? Is kindness covering your attitude, or are malice and slander the only thoughts in your mind at work? What about gentleness and patience coming from your heart toward your children, or has your language been less than kind and uplifting to them? Evaluate that outfit you put on this morning. Is it shining or is it covered with a little dust and lint?
The qualities of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience are all things that enrich and build up our relationships. Anger, rage, malice, slander and filthy language, are all things that tear our relationships apart and hurt those we come in contact with. Choose with me today to put on these things in Colossians 3:12 that will make us examples that others want to follow. Remember this verse, "Whatever you have learned or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." (Philippians 4:9)