Monthly Archives: October 2011

What Not to Wear

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It was noon today before I remembered it was Halloween. I can’t say that was much of a loss, but I have to admit dressing up is fun once in a while, whether it’s for a costume or an evening out.

All of us dress up daily. If we didn’t, we’d be going around naked. We give thought to putting an outfit together and do our best to look good. Of course the emphasis is on our exterior, while the interior often gets ignored.

Scripture instructs us to “put on” an outfit described by God, one that will miraculously equip us to stand our ground against evil. The pieces of this invisible outfit are truth, righteousness, the Gospel, salvation and his word. Although these can’t be seen in a mirror, the results of wearing them leave positive impressions on those around us.

For all of us, what you see is not usually what you get. That’s because we can wear one thing on the outside and another on the inside. Sadly, they can be polar opposites. We can fool almost everyone about who we really are.

Anyone, that is, except God, who can never be fooled.

Stacy London and Clinton Kelly are pros at telling people “What Not to Wear.” They have a TV program by that name, offering fashion makeovers to those they feel don’t know how to look their best. Although they’re good at putting flattering outfits together, their counsel stops at their 360 degree mirror.

God, on the other hand, could host a program telling people what not to wear on the inside. Actually, he doesn’t need a show, since he’s already detailed his advice in the Bible. Internal fashion doesn’t change with the seasons or years. It works century to century.

His first bit of counsel is that we are not to worry about external fashion but grow in faith that he’ll give us everything we need, in the clothing category and all others. Being able to trust him for those externals is a sure sign our internals are looking good, too.

It wears well if we meditate on the truth of his Word and pour out gratitude for our salvation. He also tells us we’re to mimic his garment of righteousness and be grateful for the spiritual gifts he’s given us. And for accessories he says, “Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (Colossians 3:12)

As far as wardrobes go, Stacy and Clinton’s pricey fashion purchases will one day wear out and need replacing, but God’s wardrobe is free of charge and lasts forever. And once we put on his internal outfit, we won’t stress as easily about the one we’re wearing on the outside.

“The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

A Good Guffaw

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Yesterday, 6 long-term women friends got together for 24 hours at my sister’s cottage, gathering for the first time since April. Our intentions were six-fold: (1) to pull away from the pressures of everyday life; (2) to catch up on each others families; (3) to share a prayer time; (4) to hike at the beach; (5) to eat good food; (6) to laugh together. Although numbers 1-5 were meaningful, that number 6 was downright spectacular.

After sharing prayer requests, none of us felt like laughing. Among us were the heavy problems of surgery, disease, exhaustion, discouragement, and others. The load was heavy, but after we spent time turning it all over to God, it wasn’t difficult to switch gears and give ourselves over to number 6.

We hadn’t intended to get quite as hilarious as we did, but bringing out a “Catch Phrase” game was a good idea. None of us would call ourselves “gamey,” but once we got going in this contest of words, we had to force ourselves to stop at 1:00 am.

What is it about two hours of guffawing that’s so appealing? Science tells us it serves as an emotional balancing mechanism for stress.  Raucous laughter causes the brain to release something called endorphins, which can increase joy and even reduce physical pain. Indeed, we were feeling no pain last night.

Studies have shown that children laugh far more than adults, 300 times a day for them, 20 for us. Of course that makes perfect sense, but it’s a shame. God urges us to roll our burdens onto him in prayer and to trust his promises as true. The more we follow those instructions, the more we’ll find ourselves laughing.

Scripture tells us that even God has a good laugh once in a while: “The One enthroned in heaven laughs.” (Psalm 2:4) His laughter, however, is usually directed at those who rebel against him, a holy laughter linked with ultimate justice. In that way, our laughing and his are quite different, but then again, he doesn’t need an endorphin boost like we do.

The Lord’s gift of human laughter is so special that he gives us the know-how to do it even before we can talk. A baby’s first laugh brings monumental joy to parents, usually eliciting a laugh in return. It’s a happy, universal language that works well in every country, with every dialect, for every age. Even though some laughs are ha-ha-ha, some ho-ho-ho and others hee-hee-hee, we “get” them all.

Today while sitting in church, I realized my stomach muscles hurt. The 6 of us laughed so hard for so long last night, my abs mistakenly thought they’d had a work-out. Well, maybe they had, which would be just one more benefit of a good guffaw.

“There is a time for everything… a time to weep and a time to laugh.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1a,4a)

Multiplied Blessings

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Recently my Illinois neighbor Becky and I emailed back and forth about the mysterious phenomenon of God’s Spirit prompting us to do things for other people. Most of us want to obey him but then often respond ambiguously. “Good suggestion, Lord. I’ll get on that soon.”

We worry that obeying the Spirit’s urgings might expose us to embarrassment or rejection, so we give him excuses for why we can’t do it just yet or in that certain way. None of us likes to feel awkward or risk humiliation, so we procrastinate, though we’re not without good intentions.

Becky’s email included the back-story (which I hadn’t heard before) of what happened on one occasion when I said “yes” to the Spirit. I share it not to boast (since I’ve disregarded holy promptings more times than not) but to encourage all of us to act quickly on future Spirit-whispers.

It was 1993. Becky and I were becoming good pals, pushing our babies on the back yard swing set and sharing PB&J sandwiches on a blanket. We chatted about our lives and families and one day landed on spiritual matters. I sensed Becky’s heart was warming toward the Lord.

Eventually she asked a few questions about Scripture. It was during that conversation the Spirit tapped me: “Give her a Bible.”

“But I might offend her or seem preachy,” I said. “She might feel pressure to read it.”

But I did it, buying a textbook-style study Bible.

Now, from her recent email:

“Remember when you gave me a Bible? It’s the Bible I still use and love. It’s in sorry shape, but I’m very attached to it. I have every other translation on my bookshelves, but the Bible you gave me is special. I can’t imagine being without it!

“After receiving the Bible, I put it in my nightstand drawer where it stayed unopened for 6 years! Then in 1999 I was invited to a Bible study. Little did I know I was about to be introduced to Jesus. I’d completely forgotten about the Bible in my nightstand and took my mother-in-law’s 1929 King James Version. Months later God reminded me I already had a Bible that looked more like the other women’s Bibles, and I got it out of the nightstand drawer. Two years after that I surrendered my life to Jesus, my Lord and Savior.

“Over the last 7 years or so, I’ve given away 13 Bibles because of you, and have plans to give away 3 more. Those Bibles may be sitting in someone’s nightstand unopened for years just like mine was. But when God decides to make his move, those people will remember.

“John 6:65 says, ‘No one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.’ Thank you for my most treasured Bible!”

And that’s how God does it: 1 Bible given = 20 more Bibles given = 20 women receiving Bibles, who might each give 20 more = 400 Bibles = the way God moves through the Spirit’s promptings.

So when he whispers, “Do it,” we should all hop to it!

“God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:5)