* A New Dress Code

 So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.
Colossians 3:12-14 The Message Bible

I remember when schools in our area first went to a standard dress code of solid colored shirts with collars and they had to be tucked in to khakis which had to have a belt. Oh, how parents and students alike were up in arms over it! All kinds of excuses and grumblings - from unconstitutional to too much money - none of which was factual. Those who couldn't afford it were helped out by those who were willing to help, and once the parents and students realized we weren't kidding, they settled into it. 

The results were amazing. Behavior improved, consideration for others increased, grades went up. Children walked with a new level of confidence. It was almost unbelievable what a new Dress Code could accomplish.

We get the same kind of results when we dress in the wardrobe that God has picked out for us. Oh, we may be up in arms to start with - Discipline? What's wrong with the way I do things? Humility? Second place? Where's me? Where's mine? Me me me... I can't do that. I can't wear that! I can't afford that! None of which is factual... The Truth is God has provided the wardrobe. He has given it to us to wear as He wears it. He paid for it. Dearly... 

And once we realize, He's not kidding, and we put on our new things - our behavior improves, consideration for others increases, and we wait to hear "Good job! Well done!" We can walk with a new level of confidence because we're walking with Him and following in His footsteps. Our path is sure. The dress code is clear. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.

Prayer:

Father,
          Help us to wear with a sincere commitment to excellence these precious garments that Your Son bought and paid for with His own blood. Help us to do so with such grace and mercy and love that the world will know who we belong to by what we wear. Help us to forgive as quickly as You forgive us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen