If you are like me, you have clothes you plan to wear “someday” that are in the back of a spare closet or under your bed in a plastic bin. I have a 20-year-old pair of flowery jeans with flared legs that do not even fit anymore. Why do I still have this? It is like I am trying to hold on to my old self. I had to ask the Lord what I liked about my old self that made me hold on to tacky clothing. He showed me that way back when I wore those jeans, I had just made a big move, started a new job and changed my friend group. I was starting a new season at that time, but it is not my current season. I have changed since then, drawn much closer to the Lord and now value the Armor of God as my most valuable clothing. I placed the pants in my donation box and continued to sift through other clothing. I came across a Fall sweater I wear like once a year that has those fabric nubs or pilling. The Lord reminded me of the times I do not have my priorities in Biblical alignment. I might be wearing my shoes of peace, but if I am also wearing my nubby sweater of anger over an incident that happened yesterday, I do not look quite right. My words and actions are inconsistent with Jesus’ nature. My clothes may look like they go together but I am not in sync. I am a confused mishmash of worldly behavior with a dash of Pharisee – Yikes! The Lord also reminded me of a season when I had way too many clothes, a few with tags that were never removed because they were never worn. I found “retail therapy” very comforting during that time and my identity was not rooted in Christ. Who knew you could learn so much just by looking at someone’s closet! That is when I realized I needed to do a full spiritual closet cleanout and get rid of any selfishness, bitterness, anger, unforgiveness, anger, gossip, fear… anything that keeps me from what the Lord has for me. The Armor of God is our most important clothing and goes through all our seasons. It never gets old or goes out of style! What is in your closet? A clean out might be in order!
Ephesians 6:13-17
… Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
