When I was growing up, my friends and I would play “dress up” just about every free moment we found. Feather boas, dress shoes with way-too-high-heels, pink blush and electric blue eye shadow were just a few accessories we loved to wear all day and all night. My mom, who is quite the seamstress, even made us girls pink satin and lace princess dresses and white, lacy wedding dresses (you know, just in case Prince Charming came along)!
Fortunately for our mothers, but unfortunately for us, we never had anywhere to go in our get-ups. Yes, we were all dressed up with no place to go! I must admit that although I’m older now, I still seem to be that same girl that loves to “priss” with the best of them!
As a Christian, I am given the wonderful, amazing opportunity to “put on” so many items to “dress me” up. Proverbs 4:5 says I get to put on wisdom: “Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not, neither decline from the words of my mouth.” And how exciting is Ephesians 6 – Verses 10 through 17 describe the armor of God:
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your lions girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
And don’t forget about this faithful passage from Colossians 3: “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any; even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.” Lastly, I think one of the coolest ways God looks at our gaining knowledge and wisdom as a result of becoming a Christian is mentioned in Proverbs 20:15 which says: “There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.”
I’m sure you can only imagine how brightly we must shine, especially in a dark, dull world. Matthew 5:16 says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven.” Yes, we shine for God and He thinks we are absolutely beautiful: “For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation,” Psalm 149:4.
With all of this, we certainly are all dressed up, but this time is different because we do have a place to go! Our job is to “put on” all of these wonderful gifts God gives us and share it with the world around us. So, let us get all dressed up and go, go, go! Matthew 28:19 says, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”