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Thursday, January 17, 2008

What Not to Wear!

On TLC’s fashion makeover show What Not to Wear, a makeover subject is introduced to outfits put together according to new rules designed especially for her by the show’s hosts. If the subject stays within the guidelines and avoids old habits and haunts when she shops in New York City, she’ll do well at her “big reveal,” where the hosts will lavish praise on her for staying true to their directives even though she may have struggled.

When we’re sensitive to the Spirit of God, we too have moments of revelation, seeing ourselves in the 360* mirror of truth--and it’s not pretty.

The Spirit then shows us a new way of living, one that best fits why our creator made us in the first place. If we focus on him and avoid old habits and haunts, we’ll do well in the “big city,” and in the end, God will lavish on us the words we long to hear: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

In Ephesians 6:14-18, we find familiar “rules” for dressing for spiritual success.

Let the truth be like a belt around your waist, and let God's justice protect you like armor. Your desire to tell the good news about peace should be like shoes on your feet. Let your faith be like a shield, and you will be able to stop all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Let God's saving power be like a helmet, and for a sword use God's message that comes from the Spirit. (CEV)

But we’ve read these guidelines so many times it’s easy to blow across them. So just for fun, let’s flip the passage and look at What Not to Wear, Spiritual Edition.

*Don’t get bound up in hypocrisy and deceitfulness, which are ugly and hurtful. Be straightforward and virtuous from the smallest button to the largest overcoat.

*Don’t slip your feet into grungy shoes that bring nothing but trouble to others— be the one who walks into a room with good news, comfort, peace, compassion and hope. Wear shoes suitable for moving swiftly into spiritual battle for yourself or on behalf of others. Who says sensible shoes can’t be beautiful?

*Don’t wear a flimsy smock of faith. Go for quality and durability. You’ll be glad when you face harsh weather and adversaries.

*Your hat is a banner over you, creating first impressions. Who is your designer? Know your Savior and King above all!

*Your most important accessory? Not your denomination. Not your worship music. Not your financial giving statement. It’s the Word of God. Outside your body, strictly speaking, it’s an accessory, but meditate on it until it’s deep in your heart and first in your thoughts.

*Don’t be lazy about your spiritual attire, returning to old habits and haunts. Stay au current. Notice what God is up to in the world and join him. Be in constant communication with your Life Coach.

It’s OK to look forward to the final “Big Reveal,” but until then, get your spiritual fashion rules down, express your creativity and uniqueness, work with passion, and have loads of fun in the big city!




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17 Comments:

Blogger Praise and Coffee said...

Awesome Linda!
I especially love this:

"be the one who walks into a room with good news, comfort, peace, compassion and hope"

Oh Lord, let your mercy flow out of us!

Blessings friend,
Sue

January 17, 2008 at 6:02 AM  
Blogger Mocha with Linda said...

Great analogy! Those are great practical applications. I, too, loved the shoes application. "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news"

Loved it!!

January 17, 2008 at 7:33 AM  
Blogger Tiffany said...

What a great analogy. I have seen that show once and when they go in, they take out all of the bad and replace it with good. That is what God wants to do in us.
It is kind of funny that when everyone else looks at that person's original wardrobe, they can see how awful it is, but that person thinks it is alright. I think we are the same way about our spiritual lives. We think we look alright when in reality, we are a mess until we follow those tips. Thanks for sharing!

January 17, 2008 at 8:10 AM  
Blogger Melanie @ This Ain't New York said...

Linda- One of your best. Great job of connecting the Word to everyday life.

January 17, 2008 at 9:00 AM  
Blogger Susanne said...

Well that was totally related to our everyday! Good job, Linda. Your analogy brought it in very understandable terms.

January 17, 2008 at 9:13 AM  
Blogger Mary Lou said...

You hit it right on the head. We need to wear the clothes you suggested to really show forth the glory of our Lord. Mary Lou at dlowran1(at)comcast(dot)net

January 17, 2008 at 10:49 AM  
Blogger Kelly said...

I love this creative and insightful reflection--and challenge!

January 17, 2008 at 10:57 AM  
Blogger windycindy said...

I have to think about this entry for awhile. I have seen the show and understand it, and you make wonderful connections. Thanks for the insight!
Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

January 17, 2008 at 11:26 AM  
Blogger Cheryl said...

I love the part about walking into a room with good news. We all need to be that type person. Thanks for your post today I really enjoyed reading. God Bless!

January 17, 2008 at 11:34 AM  
Blogger lori said...

Linda...
you know the girls and I will sometimes watch that when the boys are into a basketball game...
I can't wait to share this with them!!!

what a great lesson it could make for a bunch of girls!
my favorite...
*Don’t slip your feet into grungy shoes that bring nothing but trouble to others— be the one who walks into a room with good news, comfort, peace, compassion and hope. Wear shoes suitable for moving swiftly into spiritual battle for yourself or on behalf of others. Who says sensible shoes can’t be beautiful?"

That was GOOOOOOOOOODDDDDD!!!
and the "Big Reveal"....
what a GREAT post!!!

I LOVED it!
lori

January 17, 2008 at 1:12 PM  
Blogger marine's words said...

Love the post!! we all need to remember these.Marina

January 17, 2008 at 8:06 PM  
Blogger Christi S said...

I LOVE this! What a great way to look at scripture that we often gloss over. Thank you!

January 17, 2008 at 9:41 PM  
Blogger Denise said...

This was really good Linda.

January 18, 2008 at 2:08 AM  
Blogger Laura said...

This was a really effective way of getting me (and looks like lots of others) to think practically about how we live our Christian life. Thank you!

January 18, 2008 at 4:38 AM  
Blogger Aunt Angie said...

Linda...I cannot tell you how much I needed that reminder THIS WEEK!!! What a blessing...I am the one that controls what I put on...it's all in the closet...waiting for me to make the right choice!
You are such a blessing :)

January 18, 2008 at 2:22 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

This reminded me of the verses: “Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility; for God resisteth the proud and giveth grace to the humble.” (I Peter 5:5) “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering,” (Col 3:12) and “Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands.” (I Peter 3:3-5)

Thanks for the reminder!

January 20, 2008 at 1:50 AM  
Blogger Lisa @ The Preacher's Wife said...

Oh this was excellent...I've missed more reading than I thought I had!

I love how you likened our denomination, worship styles, etc. to accessories. For that is what they are - simply extra adornment. I choose to focus on the body.

Love you!

Lisa

January 23, 2008 at 9:42 AM  

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