"Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering... But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection." - Colossians 3:12 & 14
As I read this, I noticed the words "put on". Not surprisingly, it made me think about getting dressed, my routine in the mornings. Now, all of us do this in the morning, at night; sometimes even several times a day. We get dressed - we put on clothes. The Word instructs us to put on characteristics of Christ. So how do you get dressed in a characteristic? Every morning, I take a certain amount of time to get ready. Whether im dressing like a scrub (15 minutes) or going to prom (2+ hours), I specifically set aside time to get dressed. The Word suggests that we must do the same spiritually. So, im back at my same question: how do you put on a characteristic? I'm not sure I know the answer right now. I'm tempted to say "Well, you read the Bible and pray." Sounds good. But is that all? Is that enough? Is that what the writer meant in using the words "put on"?... So I shall turn to crosswalk.com once again & look up that good ol' Greek... In this instance, the words "put on" (Gr. Enduo) mean "to sink into". Wow. Thats pretty deep. So, when he says for us to sink into these characteristics, he's not saying to dip in our toe & see how it feels. Think about it - when something is sinking, it is totally immersed, and most likely overcome by the substance it is sinking in. As it sinks, it is going deeper and deeper in. That is what the author is calling us to do. Not to just sit & think about being merciful, kind and humble, but to immerse ourselves in that nature, to sink in it - even allow ourselves to be overcome by those characteristics. Now, I dont want you to think my head is in the clouds; I realize that its easier said than done. But something that makes me wantto sink in even more is the other idea of sinking - into the couch, a cozy bed, or the lazy boy after a long day. Now whats better than that!? You can finally relax, breathe, and let your body sink into that smooth leather, that favorite blanket. It feels so much better. When you're at work and the newbie messes everything up, sink into mercy mode. It feels so much better. When things are getting crazy at school and even crazier at home, sink into patience mode. It feels so much better. I am challenged to really sink in to the characteristics God has called me to possess. I realize it can be hard sometimes, but He's given us the best ways to be because they feel so much better than what our human selves naturally want to do! What an awesome God. Make sense? (Maybe?)
SO, going back to put on, sink in... Let's learn to put on the characteristics of Christ. It's like learning how to get dressed again. But in a different way. C'mon, we can do it :)
[Lord, wow! Thank You for showing me all this. Honestly, I wasnt sure what to expect from journaling today, I kept putting it off because i just wasnt feeling it (sorry, but hey, You already know - ain't no use in tryna lie). But You're so faithful to teach me no matter how I'm feeling. It's really not about me, huh? Thats good. Anyway, please don't let me forget this word, and thank You for recommending the best qualities for us - the ones that feel so much better. Remind me to get dressed spiritually every morning. I think I'll still get dressed in the physical, cause I think thats a good idea (hahaha). Thank You again and again. Youre so faithful, even when im not. I love You!]
As I read this, I noticed the words "put on". Not surprisingly, it made me think about getting dressed, my routine in the mornings. Now, all of us do this in the morning, at night; sometimes even several times a day. We get dressed - we put on clothes. The Word instructs us to put on characteristics of Christ. So how do you get dressed in a characteristic? Every morning, I take a certain amount of time to get ready. Whether im dressing like a scrub (15 minutes) or going to prom (2+ hours), I specifically set aside time to get dressed. The Word suggests that we must do the same spiritually. So, im back at my same question: how do you put on a characteristic? I'm not sure I know the answer right now. I'm tempted to say "Well, you read the Bible and pray." Sounds good. But is that all? Is that enough? Is that what the writer meant in using the words "put on"?... So I shall turn to crosswalk.com once again & look up that good ol' Greek... In this instance, the words "put on" (Gr. Enduo) mean "to sink into". Wow. Thats pretty deep. So, when he says for us to sink into these characteristics, he's not saying to dip in our toe & see how it feels. Think about it - when something is sinking, it is totally immersed, and most likely overcome by the substance it is sinking in. As it sinks, it is going deeper and deeper in. That is what the author is calling us to do. Not to just sit & think about being merciful, kind and humble, but to immerse ourselves in that nature, to sink in it - even allow ourselves to be overcome by those characteristics. Now, I dont want you to think my head is in the clouds; I realize that its easier said than done. But something that makes me wantto sink in even more is the other idea of sinking - into the couch, a cozy bed, or the lazy boy after a long day. Now whats better than that!? You can finally relax, breathe, and let your body sink into that smooth leather, that favorite blanket. It feels so much better. When you're at work and the newbie messes everything up, sink into mercy mode. It feels so much better. When things are getting crazy at school and even crazier at home, sink into patience mode. It feels so much better. I am challenged to really sink in to the characteristics God has called me to possess. I realize it can be hard sometimes, but He's given us the best ways to be because they feel so much better than what our human selves naturally want to do! What an awesome God. Make sense? (Maybe?)
SO, going back to put on, sink in... Let's learn to put on the characteristics of Christ. It's like learning how to get dressed again. But in a different way. C'mon, we can do it :)
[Lord, wow! Thank You for showing me all this. Honestly, I wasnt sure what to expect from journaling today, I kept putting it off because i just wasnt feeling it (sorry, but hey, You already know - ain't no use in tryna lie). But You're so faithful to teach me no matter how I'm feeling. It's really not about me, huh? Thats good. Anyway, please don't let me forget this word, and thank You for recommending the best qualities for us - the ones that feel so much better. Remind me to get dressed spiritually every morning. I think I'll still get dressed in the physical, cause I think thats a good idea (hahaha). Thank You again and again. Youre so faithful, even when im not. I love You!]
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