Wearing The Team Colours

Wearing The Team Colours

Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ. Rom 13:14

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Romans 13:12-14 (NIV)



12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

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I still smile when I remember the situation. Christian Horizons had just opened a

home where several young women could be supported. Moira was a lovely young

lady exuding joy in nearly every aspect of her life. She came with her beautiful

clothes and a record collection of sweet children’s choruses that she

knew and sang throughout the day.

Moira’s counselor and support worker was a young woman named Sarah.

She arrived at work most days on her motorcycle and dressed in shirt and pants.

They got along well together and Sarah was obviously committed to Jesus and to

serving Him as she cared for Moira. They would go shopping together on the weekend

and in the midst of much laughter and love, Moira began to be transformed.

Moira’s wardrobe gradually changed from frilly frocks to Levi’s and shirts.

Slowly but surely, Moira became a closer reflection of her new friend. As Moira’s

admiration of Sarah increased, so did her choices in life. Moira obviously wanted to

please Sarah and before long, this desire was obvious to everyone who knew them.

When Paul writes to the Christians in Rome, he spends one chapter after another

reviewing their new life in Jesus Christ. He points out that to be alive with Jesus

brings death to former desires and passions. In today’s reading, he takes a moment

to list the ‘current fashions’ that are generally sought throughout society in his day.

These ‘fashions’ are not very different today. Paul then asks each person who

is following Jesus to turn his or her back on these former damning attitudes and

pursuits. In essence, he is telling us to look full-faced to God and to follow His lead.

I am not sure if Moira was better or worse off for following the fashion sense

of Sarah. But I am sure that you and I will be stronger, our lives more fulfilling,

and the outcome more rewarding if we stay the course and work with God and the

Holy Spirit so that people will see Jesus and His influence on our lives today.

 

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Heavenly Father, thanks for the way you prepare me for the challenges of the day.

Each day as I put on my clothes, I have a sense of what is ahead and I dress

accordingly. In the same way, I find that You prepare ‘clothing’ that I can and

should wear each day to best communicate my new life in You, as I meet with

my friends and others that I do not know. As many seek out current fashions

to express their familiarity with current trends, I want to seek out Your

character and attributes to express my relationship with You. Amen.

- 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.