Funny thing: clothes. Some of us love them, others – not so much. We will spend hours looking in the mirror asking, “Does my bum look good in this?” We choose what we wear every day. Some days it’s easier to find things that fit. There are days we dress to feel and look special. And days when only the old favourite t-shirt will do.
I had one of those days. I was going into a difficult meeting. I chose my clothes carefully. I needed to feel more confident and also show others my respect in that situation. And then God asked me a simple question: “What are you wearing today?” I was kind of stunned and didn’t really know what to think. But it all became clear later that day…
I was sat with my Bible looking for inspiration, wisdom and encouragement. And then I read about how God gives us a new wardrobe when we become His children. He tailors each piece of clothing to fit our character, our circumstances and our life. He even puts a tag with our name on every item! That’s amazing… “…you’re dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new way of life is custom-made by the Creator, with his label on it.”(Col.3:10 MSG) And so in this wardrobe He puts “compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline.”(v.12) “And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.” (v.13-14)
I never thought about spiritual clothes until that day. Those verses really challenged me and gave me hope. Hope that God knew exactly what ‘clothes’ I needed, He made them just for me. My clothes have ‘Ags’ on their tags. And so I don’t need to strive for discipline or love (especially when it’s hard to love). Neither do I have to borrow another woman’s clothes when I need patience or compassion. I need to ask and put my clothes on! Simple!
But then I remembered this verse, one of those amazing verses which carry a real calling and purpose. I heard someone speak it over me when we first came to our church – “for such a time as this…” (Esther 4:14 MSG). I felt so privileged. Privileged when things were going great. Burdened when life was tough. So I read, prayed and thought about Esther.
As much as we may glorify that verse about being called “for such a time as this”, Esther’s context wasn’t so pretty. She was faced with a huge challenge: trying to convince her King and husband to spare her nation from death. She was going to a very difficult meeting. She was taking a great risk. But still God called her to go, “for such a time as this”. So, what did Esther do? She went and thought about it, and chose her clothes carefully! She had to be strategic in what she was wearing. In order to gain favour in King’s eyes she had to look right. So we read, “Esther dressed in her royal robes and took up a position” (Esther 5:1 MSG). She had more confidence with the right clothes on.
You live your life “for such a time as this”. You mix with people “for such a time as this”. You have a family “for such a time as this”. You wake up in the morning “for such a time as this”!
Some days it will be a privilege, others it may feel like a burden. The Lord knows. And “for such a time as this” He has tailored every item in your spiritual wardrobe so that You – His daughter – may have His confidence for the task He has appointed You for. Isn’t that amazing?
