Put On

I will rejoice greatly in the LORD,
My soul will exult in my God;
For He has clothed me with garments of salvation,
He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness,
As a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,
And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
Isaiah 61:10, New American Standard Bible (NASB)

I must confess that for a long time I was dressed in my own righteousness…I was raised in a church, faithfully attended Sunday services, fellowship dinners, youth group, Sunday school…I volunteered and gave tithes like I thought I should.

But striving to be a “good Christian” never seemed to be enough. I had packed my calendar so full of things to do for God because it was “the right thing to do”.  I wanted to measure up in God’s eyes.

God was saying to come to His wedding banquet, and I felt like I didn’t have a thing to wear! I kept trying to piece together something, but there was always a spot, a crooked hem, a lost button. I was striving to be holy, and only ended up feeling like anyone could see right through me.

Then I heard Isaiah 64:6 and realized I never could be covered in my self-righteousness… all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment;…

Much like Lazarus, I could hear my name being called to come forth—even when I thought I was already “there”. (You did not choose me, I chose you...John 15:16a) I was dead in my trespasses…my hands were tied with busyness, my walk was hobbled with wrappings of my own making. Self-righteousness can be such a sneaky trap. I didn’t realize I was a walking dead…a self-righteous zombie!

If you remember, when Lazarus came forth, he was still wrapped in grave clothes …that’s why Jesus told the others… “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” (John 11:44) I needed that freedom…

So if I am called out of death to life, what does one wear?  Romans 13:14 says to “clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ”. How do you do that?

In all my church life I had never heard about accepting Christ and making Him Lord of my life. Where was I during that sermon? Probably busy judging someone else’s righteousness in the next pew. I was reluctant at first…that’s too easy! It’s a gift? I don’t have to do anything to earn it? I just have to admit I am a sinner, accept His sacrifice and that’s it?

So I did…and I could feel the weight of righteous works drop off my shoulders. I left my filthy zombie rags in that cave of self-righteousness and put on Christ.

God sees Christ’s righteousness standing here, because I am covered by Christ. Now I can truly say:

I will rejoice greatly in the LORD,
My soul will exult in my God;
For He has clothed me with garments of salvation,
He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness,
As a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,
And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
Isaiah 61:10, New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Now the things I do are done not to make brownie points but because I am greatful for His Grace. I continue to grow with prayer, study and action.

How about you? What have you put on today?

Move Me

I work in an office on the second floor. Another department decided to move some very large lateral file cabinets from one side of the building to the other. The man that moved them had a hand truck and a work order to get it done. The hard part is that the files were still in the cabinets, so it made the move a little difficult.

He was a man on a mission and in no time the first 5ft high cabinet was in place on the other side of the building. I figured this early work day task was soon to be over with. When I didn't see him as quickly with the second set of files, I peeked around the doorway from my office and saw him struggling a little more than the first time. He seemed to be trying to move this one with one arm.

I asked if he was ok and he said, "Nah, I'm fine. It's this gecko in my other hand that's giving me some trouble. "

It turned out that this guy had found a lizard and wanted to make sure he got it outside safely...it wouldn't survive in an air conditioned, bug-free zone. He was multi-tasking...moving the cabinet and the gecko.

"It wouldn't be so bad," he said, "but that lizard has bit me twice now and that doesn't help!"

I plopped back in the chair behind my desk and realized how much the gecko and I had in common.

How many times have I shook my fist at God, not understanding what was going on...biting the hand that fed me...refusing the help He offered because I thought I could do it all by myself?

How many times did I turn from His grace, His favor...consumed by self-rightousness because I was not where I thought I should be? Some days it was an endless bumping into mental corners and getting stepped on by the world.

If I would just be still in His hand, He would literally move heaven and earth for me...if I let Him. Because unlike my friend who moved the cabinets...it's my choice to remain in the will (hand) of God. He doesn't take away that choice from me.

Yes the little gecko made it back outside and my friend moved those cabinets without injury except for a few gecko nibbles.

But as for me? I think my heart was moved farther than those cabinets. I want to resolve to stay in God's will for the rest of my life. Because when my life starts to feel like it's changing up the floorplan, the best place to be is in my Father's hands.

Jesus answered, "I told you, but you don't believe. Everything I have done has been authorized by my Father, actions that speak louder than words. You don't believe because you're not my sheep. My sheep recognize my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them real and eternal life. They are protected from the Destroyer for good. No one can steal them from out of my hand. The Father who put them under my care is so much greater than the Destroyer and Thief. No one could ever get them away from him. I and the Father are one heart and mind."
John 10:25-30 (MSG)