Well, it happened again today. Like clockwork, Brooke walked into my bedroom and asked the same question she asked yesterday – “What should I wear today?” But this question is more important today than it was yesterday because today is Brooke’s birthday. It’s an extra special birthday because she turns 11, which means she gets to start wearing makeup. With two older sisters, you can imagine how she has been anticipating this day for a long time.
As I drank my morning coffee, my thoughts also went back to yesterday’s question because Paul goes on to talk about our appearance on the inside. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone (Colossians 4:6). To be gracious in what we say requires an attitude of submission. We give up our right to say what we feel like saying in order to submit to the voice of the Holy Spirit prompting us to say what God would have us to say.
Submission to our Heavenly Master is what makes it possible to do what he has asked us to do:
– Submit to your husband as is fitting for those who belong to the Lord (3:18)
– Love your wife and never treat her harshly (3:19)
– Obey your parents for this pleases the Lord (3:20)
– Do not aggravate your children or they will become discouraged (3:21)
– Obey and serve your earthly masters out of reverent fear for the Lord rather than for people (3:22-23)
– When in authority, be just and fair with those who answer to you for you have a Master in heaven (4:1)
As our Master, God is calling all of us to submission. When we submit to those in authority over us, we are submitting to the authority of God, who is our real Master. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ (3:24).
So, as servants of our Lord Jesus Christ, let’s do as Paul commands in Colossians 3:17:
And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
We represent Jesus. As HeidiLynne Williams added yesterday, it is not only about what we are wearing (love accessorized by compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and forgiveness) but WHO we are wearing. So tell us as you walk down the red carpet God has prepared for you, who are you wearing today?