My Daughter, Jenna Kate, is eighteen months old and is becoming very active and increasingly independent. Her latest declaration of independence is her will to put up a fight when I change her clothes. She simply does not want to be still long enough for me to do this. She wiggles, whines and worms all around until she finally gives into the fact that I am bigger and stronger than she is. However, at the point of giving in, she has managed to work herself into a frenzy!
Does this sound familiar to you? I think sometimes we approach God in this same manner. We become independent like little Jenna. Sometimes, it is difficult for us to stop long enough to allow God to change our spiritual clothes. Isaiah 61:10 (Message version) says, “I will sing for joy in God, explode in praise from deep in my soul! He dressed me up in a suit of salvation, he outfitted me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom who puts on a tuxedo and a bride a jeweled tiara.” God desires to change the clothes of our hearts. In fact, He wants to give us all new wardrobes.
I love to watch the show on TLC, What Not to Wear. The basic concept of the show is simple. People who have a fashion handicap, so-to-speak, are nominated by loved ones to get a wardrobe makeover. The hosts and the selected fashion-less throw out his/her old garments then buy thousands of dollars worth of new clothes. The new wardrobe is much more up-to-date and fits the person perfectly.
This is exactly what God longs to do for his children. He came to take away our filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6) and adorn us with His amazing grace, salvation and righteousness. He gives us the “garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.” (Isaiah 61:10) He takes our fear and gives us faith. He takes our worry and gives us the ability to trust in Him. He takes our lack and blesses us with more than enough for our needs. He replaces our heavy hearts with hearts that burst with everlasting joy! He takes our sickness and heals us, making us whole. God knows our measurements; the sizes of our needs and the conditions of our hearts. He knows exactly how to dress us for the occasion of His designed purpose. When we trust God to take control of every area of our lives, He is faithful. So don’t get caught in last season’s attire. Surrender to the one who is bigger and stronger, place your heart into His loving hands and allow God to gift you with His designer line of spiritual clothes!
