WHO ARE YOU WEARING?

Transition into a new year or any season that brings change, more often than not is a period given for reflection. For some of us, we prefer to live in the moment rather than look too far back into where we have come from or plan ahead for where we may be going or where we desire to be.  We take moments as they come and are confident in our ability to handle anything that comes our way. Our fears are rarely visible, we hold it all together even though life signals for us to let go, break and start a fresh.

A fresh start is never easy, especially when it entails the release of what or who you were once attached to. The thought of the investment made into building a reputation, friendship, relationship, business and other things we hold dear to us, makes new beginnings hard to embrace. And in the end, we have new seasons coming to birth and no resourcefulness available to make the most of it. We go through life’s changes stagnant for the better part of our days, still wishing, still hoping but not growing or maturing.

There’s nothing wrong with hope, in fact I consider it a must have as an anchor for the soul. For when hope is lost, all is lost and there is nothing much left to live for. Nevertheless, keep in mind that your soul is like a core. It holds every other part of your life together. A strong core is required in order to hold everything else in balance. Now picture your soul filled with hope –the fruit of hope is an outward appearance of the opposite expectations in current circumstances. Where the storms of life rage and you are expected to be pessimistic and full of fear, you exude joy. You speak a different message and dance to the tunes composed of lyrics derived from the promises of God.

Friend, you need to understand though, that your outward appearance is a direct result of your inward values, beliefs and above all your inward character. What is unseen is more often than not, who you really are. And so even what you reflect could be 'plastic' if the inside of you is not really the outward scene you share with others. It is this that leads me to a question that I’ve purposed to ask myself each day in the coming days for this year,  

“Who am I wearing?”

and I ask you too...

 

"Who are you wearing?"

You see life is like a runway. We get up each day and walk down our designed paths, and believe it or not people see what we wear. But have you ever thought of who you are wearing? If you have ever attended or watched a red carpet event, a common question asked is, “Who are you wearing?” The answer to this is the name of different designers, praised and applauded over the years for their exquisite work. The wearer of the dress is a representation of the designer’s thoughts and ideas that were suitable for them. Sometimes, it happens to be the one wearing the outfit who made their own choice of what to wear from the designer’s collection. Every so often, the world gives a standing ovation, other times, the judgments are not so pretty.

This is it, your appearance affects your thoughts, feelings, actions and also the way others react to you. The actions and reactions of the people around you are influenced by what you portray. They are responses to what they see; it either attracts or repels them. Our responsibility I believe is to attract others using our appearances, to lead others to the main person who influences what we adorn ourselves with, and that is Christ Himself. The word of God, has several instances that speak about what reflects God as the key ‘designer’ as we saunter on the runway of life. Romans 14:13 says this, “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. “ (ESV). Other versions use the term “clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ”. In other words “Wear Christ!” 

But how do you wear a person? 

 

Just like we have different attires that we choose to where on different occasions, we have an obligation to put on His presence every single day. This is done as a deliberate act, hand in hand with the help of the Holy Spirit. As an instructor and counselor, the Holy Spirit is at work within us to bring about transformation in our lives. We are a reflection of Christ, or at least that is what we should be as instructed in Ephesians 5:1, “Be imitators of God as beloved children”. Colossians 3:10 instructs us “therefore as the elect, of God, Holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone, has a complaint against another, even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

 

The attributes we are called upon to put on, are not obtained in the physical realm. Rather, they are fruits of the knowledge from God’s word that we put into practice. In order to bear fruit, a seed needs to be planted on good soil. Likewise, in order for us to adorn this traits, the seeds of knowledge of God’s word need to be planted in our heart; the place that we guard with all diligence. We constantly need to feed on it in order to live it out- for the reason that the disposition reflected is always as a result of an on-going work (or lack of it) within us. 

In simplicity, “wearing Christ" means, to know who He is, know who and what He is about, imitate and live out His example. This, like dressing well everyday requires deliberate effort on your part, as a child of God. You have a responsibility to put on (or cloth yourself with) His “outfit” for you and shine as you engage with others around you. This then should lead them to ask the main question, “Who are you wearing?” And that my friend, is a great opportunity as a wise person to win souls for Christ. (Prov. 11:30)

As you strut along the runway of life this year, I pray that who you project is based on the relationship that you have chosen to invest in with your main designer –God Himself.  Be loyal to your designer;  remember, loyalty becomes practical and easier when you comprehend the good that the other person has done in the past.

God Bless!