What NOT to Wear

The TV show, "What NOT to Wear" captures many viewers as it tries to help 'poor sorry souls' who have little to no fashion sense. (At least according to the show - and well according to many of us too). They get the opportunity of learning what's in, what's out, what's trendy, and what's not. Their wardrobe is evaluated and they are told what to keep or what to give away - while TV viewers out there watch and listen to comments (sometimes pretty blunt and insensitive - but perhaps true) given to the 'contestant' by the two fashionistas. They bring out their old outfits and try them on while looking at a 3-way mirror. Then comes the criticism and honest truth. The fashionistas tell him or her - what is not flattering, what does not fit, and what they absolutely should get rid off - no questions asked and no excuses allowed. (Sometimes these pieces of clothing have been in the person's wardrobe for years and just simply shouldn't be worn anymore - by anyone. The fun part (at least I think so) is when the 'contestant' gets (free) money to help them purchase new clothes that the fashionistas recommend and in the style that best fits the person.

I know for me I like to find the 'look for less' and like having my own style and wear nice clothes - even when I'm lounging. In the morning, I wake up like most of us do and wonder... Hmmm... what am I going to wear today? Look through the closest passing by many different and not very old pieces of clothing i.e. - jeans, dresses, and shirts and then even have the audacity at times to think - "I have nothing to wear"... really Michelle? nothing? (I am often convicted of how much stuff I do have when I travel overseas on missions work - that will be content for a future blog I'm sure).

During this past week I had been struggling in different ways - feeling like I needed God's grace in a greater way to keep walking with Him and choosing Him - I was facing different temptations, thoughts, attitudes, and actions that I didn't want to be a part of me and I didn't want to give energy too - how the Apostle Paul writes in Romans - "I do the things I don't want to do and don't do the things I ought"... That's where I was finding myself more often than I would have liked. I'm so thankful to God that He loves us even when we feel unloveable...

On Sunday, while taking communion - the Pastor prayed that we would have a greater revelation of the cross and what taking communion is about. It was almost right after he prayed, that the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and said...

"Those sins have been nailed to the cross. Don't try to take them off of the cross - Michelle, my Beloved. They don't fit you anymore. They are not for you to wear anymore. They are not a burden for you to carry any more. I have clothed you with My robe of righteousness. Wear the robe I have given you. I cover you now."

Tears just fell from my eyes as my heart and spirit responded to Jesus at that moment and received His love and grace in a greater way. I know these verses and I know these truths but I experienced the truth of the meaning of the cross in a deeper way that morning and am thankful! What NOT to wear! Thank you Jesus for being my 'fashion' police. I want to wear what fits me now, being a new creation in You. You have reshaped me and remade me and I am thankful that those sins don't fit me anymore! In the morning and throughout the day, I pray that You will remind me that I am Yours, that You cover me, and I wear Your robe of righteousness... give me the grace to follow You every day and to keep my eyes fixed on You.

I have a new wardrobe!

Ephesians 4:22-24 - You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."

Romans 13:14 - "Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of your sinful nature."