It's been a long time since I was able to participate in Thankful Thursday. This month, thankful ones are gathering at Laurie's Women Taking A Stand blog to share their blessings.
Today, Laurie challenged us by asking if people could tell we were on the Lord's team by looking at us. Just as wearing sports jerseys identify which team we support, or uniforms tells us the location of our workplaces, would something about our outer appearance let people know we were God's child?
Some feel that, yes, you can tell who belongs to the Lord by looking at the apparel and hairstyles. Unfortunately, some (not all) who dress a certain way can be judgmental, self-righteous and down-right rude to those who do not feel called to dress as they do. What a shame! I've had two daughters who had jobs as wait-staff. They tell me that the whole restaurant shudders when people dressed "Christian" come in. They tend to be rude to staff, messy, hard to please, and worst of all - lousy tippers. (I've heard the same complaint at Wal-Mart - they dread when church lets out and all the worshipers come to Wally world for supplies!) This shouldn't be!
Instead, as God's child, our true colors are not demonstrated by our apparel, but in our manner! Actions speak louder than words. We should be characterized by love.
Jesus said: "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35 NIV
"This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother. " 1 John 3:10 NIV
Our true colors show in the way we treat people.
"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." Colossians 3:13-14 NIV
Today, I'm so thankful for my Christian friends who treat me with love. My church family means a lot to me. They are there when I go through seasons of grief and disappointment. They celebrate with me in times of joy. They laugh at my jokes and pat me on the back when I try to do something for the Lord. We just do life together.
I hope you have a church family like that, too! If you don't, I pray that you will start right now searching for the body of believers that Christ has for you. He says in His word that He sets the solitary in families, and I believe that also means a church family. Somewhere, there is a group of worshipers that will welcome and accept you. They won't be perfect ... you're not perfect, either ... but they will bless you, and you can bless them. You'll be team-mates working together!
Such an encouraging post, bless you.
ReplyDeleteAmen...you are right on the mark with this post!
ReplyDeleteThank you for these words. You are right on target. Love is the most important clothing we must wear. I needed to read this today as my daughter heads out to prom tomorrow and she is such a beautifully modest girl from the inside out who has decided to wear a dress which I KNOW some won't consider modest. We measured it by God's standards and neither of us see anything wrong with it but all too often we run into so much condemnation among believers and it saddens me so much. I think God changes us from the inside out but religion is the opposite. God allows for a natural change to take place, one that mirrors the heart. I never look at what girls are wearing, although I teach my daughter to dress appropriately. I look for the heart and how the love of Christ can bring about the necessary changes. I am so dreading tomorrow but I prayed for both of my children to never be religious since they were in my womb so in order for that to happen they must be disappointed by it.
ReplyDeleteOkay, long comment. ;( Yikes! Got carried away. Thank you for your kind words about our Honey. Blessings to you dear one.
it's refreshing to hear people say kind things about their church family. your *true colors* just shined through!!!
ReplyDeleteas God's child, our true colors are not demonstrated by our apparel, but in our manner! --- amen!!!
ReplyDeleteOther than the fact that I always wear a cross, I don't think anyone would guess I was Christian by the way I DRESS. I HOPE they would guess that I am Christian by the way I ACT... but I totally understand how the wait staff at restaurants feel. I dined out with a group of women from my church one evening, and I was HORRIFIED at how one of the very PROMINENT leading women of our church treated all the restaurant staff. I was very embarrassed and wanted to just crawl under the table. She really behaved like she was ALL THAT! And like THEY should treat her that way! Also, I am a VERY good tipper and when someone is chincey on the tip, that really aggravates me... These women were all very cheap tippers! I ended up throwing in an extra $20 to cover them... But... I've never gone out with them again! And I won't!
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