What Brand Are You Wearing?

I had a light bulb moment the other day.  Reading through Colossians 3, verses 12-17 really stood out.  I’ve read this time and time again, but this time there’s been new light shed.

When you accept Christ as your savior, you are to put to death the old self or the things of the world—slander, malice, anger, impurity, lust, rage, etc. and put on the “new self”.  That’s the whole idea of repenting, to make a 180-degree change and “go back”.  And in this case, it’s going back to the image and character of how God originally created us before sin entered the world.

When I was reading this the other day, I literally imagined myself putting on different articles of clothing for each of these characteristics.  Putting on my shirt of compassion.  Pants of humility.  Lug on those socks of kindness.  Better tread carefully with those shoes of patience.   You get the picture.  Great, I’m dressed and ready to take on the world today.  (It reminded me of putting on the armor of God… you would not go to battle unless you were prepared offensively and defensively, right?).  And surely you think about what you wear every day….when you need to dress for work, for school, for a wedding, or a performance.  You are careful to select the “proper” clothing.

I’m the last person to talk to about fashion.  Brands, styles, etc…I’m NOT your go to girl.  I don’t know the latest trends.  For me, I’ve always just done my own thing. Find me at the clearance racks at Kohl’s.  And many times, I don’t “fit in” in that sense.  But I’ve never really cared much.  I didn’t wear or not wear certain brands or styles to attract attention.  The Aeropostale booty shorts, the newest Puma sneakers, Ray-Ban sunglasses, the Abercrombie and Fitch shirt, Chanel perfume, or the Victoria Secret’s trendiest swimsuit… it never mattered.*  Clothing was just a necessity.  But I did learn that clothing, whether wearing name brand or not, speaks a lot about you and it’s something that everyone notices. 

It’s how we are called to live as Christians.  We have to purposefully pursue God and His character in order to grow.  And sometimes that looks like ordinary pants of humility instead of scandalous, prideful, designer ripped jeans.  You might not get immediate attention, but every move you make is watched and studied.  Sometimes you are followed, sometimes mimicked, and even more likely criticized.  However, choosing a life aligned with Christ will always win in the long run.  You will get attention when people see love, kindness, faithfulness, patience, peace, joy, and self-control wafting out of you.  When others are constantly smelling that sweet aroma, they’ll want to know “What brand are you wearing?” 

And you’ll of course reply “Jesus”.

Take some time to reflect.  Have you been loving others well?  Is your whole outfit (life) reflecting the brand of Jesus? Or have you been mixing and matching (not fully devoted, trying to serve two masters, lukewarm in the faith)?  What do you need to do today in order to fully be branded with Christ?  If you need to ditch the old wardrobe and purchase all new clothes…. An eternal home in paradise is worth the cost. Your beauty (Jesus’ Love) will radiate through your new self and new choice of clothes even if it does seem a little counterculture. 

*If you have the Puma sneakers, the Victoria Secret’s swimsuit, etc. I’m not saying you can’t have those and be a Christian.  I believe our clothing/accessory trends and styles and choices should be honoring to our brothers and sisters. If it is honoring, you like what you see, and you are stewarding your money well, then by all means buy the thing and wear it.  I was just trying to make a point with brands and styles people are aware of.  🙂