Dressing For Life’s Challenges

Dressing For Life’s Challenges

Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Col 3:12

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Colossians 3:12-17 (NIV) 12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

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We would hardly expect someone to dress for tennis while preparing to play football.
Throughout the year, there may be occasions for you to reach deep within your
wardrobe for that special outfit. At other times, you may worry
about overdressing for an occasion.

Over a period of my life, I was the Principal in a small elementary school on the
outskirts of Toronto. Many families in this community lived in run-down rented
farmhouses that received little attention from the landlords. The homes were
inexpensive, but it was all that many of these families could afford. Occasionally it
was necessary to meet with the parents to gain a better understanding of the
challenges being faced by the child. My strategy was to arrange an informal
meeting in their home rather than from behind my office desk. After supper at
home, I would dress in very casual clothes, even jeans and a ‘jack’ shirt. This was
not a time for formality or a time to signal a position of power or importance — at
least, not if I wanted to be effective in gaining their understanding and support.
In every instance it seemed the parents’ initial distrust or shyness was
put to rest and we were able to speak comfortably.

As you begin each new day, take a look in the closet of your life. Look at the
clothes you will need to face today’s challenges. Consciously make the decision to
put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. And over all of
these virtues which are found as you trust Christ, wrap yourself in love which
binds it all together in perfect unity.

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Heavenly Father, lead me as I face the challenges of today. Help me to slow down
and seek Your counsel so that I may respond in a way that will honour You and
assist those in my circle of influence. Help me to respond rather than react. Amen.

- Noel Churchman

For the next while our Friday blogs will be excerpts form a book of daily devotionals by Noel Churchman. Noel was the Executive Director of Christian Horizons form 1976 to 2001. The devotionals we will be using are from a book he wrote in 2005 called “Walking with God”. Noel’s reflections are grounded in his experiences as an educator, and provider of supports for individuals with exceptional needs as well as his life as a dedicated follower of Christ.