And
why do you worry about clothes? Learn how the wildflowers of the field grow:
they don't labor or spin thread. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all
his splendor was adorned like one of these! If that's how God clothes the grass
of the field, which is here today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, won't
He do much more for you--you of little faith?
How we worry about how we
look! Age lines, creative weight
distribution, balding, and skin spots create more anxiety which creates
more...you guessed it...more things to worry about! Jesus says, “How about accepting the picture
of who I made you to be and stop worrying so much about the frame? All of your worry is not going to add one
positive thing to your life.”
Image consciousness has
surely reached an all-time high. The
multi-billion dollar industries built around the maintenance and remodeling of
our bodies is staggering; especially when compared to the worldwide needs of
the hungry and sick. America’s
preoccupation with name brands and fads keeps the bearings greased on the cycle
of our adornment addiction.
Sadly, some become trapped in
depression, desperation, diseases and disorders due to this very worry about
not being the proper size or having the proper things. Bulimia and anorexia claim the lives of young
ladies. A young man is shot or beaten
for his tennis shoes or jacket. Do we
not see what we are doing? A mother
walks through a food center and casually says to her daughter, “If I gain
another pound your dad will hate me.”
The message is clear...thin is in.
Does this mean we should not
care for ourselves or ignore or appearance?
Absolutely not! We have a
testimony to share and a message to deliver.
It is important to look good and feel good before others to gain their
ear for our message.
Jesus says, “Why are worried about your clothes? Don’t you know I will adorn you?”
The adornment of Christ is
not fashion oriented but countenance centered.
The beauty of His spirit and peace shining from the face of a believer
gains far more attention than any article of clothing we can wear. The words of grace and encouragement spoken
in love become adornments that draw people to us.
When you walk through a
garden, look at the beauty of the flowers and remember what Jesus said, “won't He do much more for you--you of little faith?”
This means that we can keep growing and trusting that God
will continues to feed and nourish us to accomplish His purpose as He does all
His creation. Just remember...God works
from the outside-in, not the inside-out.
Scripture to Claim:
For I know the plans I have for you"--this is the LORD's
declaration--"plans for your
welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11