“So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.” Colossians 3:12-14 MSG
Growing up a grandchild of Norwegian immigrants, I often heard an old Scandinavian saying: “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes.” This wasn’t my grandma’s way of bragging about the sweet mittens she knit. Instead, it was a realistic realization that what’s going on outside isn’t as important as whether or not you are prepared. So we’d throw on a base layer, and whatever clothes fit the weather; rain, snow, sun, sleet, hail, heat, or a combination of all of the above. No matter what the weather, the base layer was most important. This keeps you warm and dry in normal circumstances. And in emergencies, the base layer can keep you alive.
The apostle Paul wrote a reminder to the Christians in Colossae to put on the believer’s baselayer. Never be without love. It’s the most basic but the most versatile “garment” for going out into the world. Never forgetting the forgiveness that cost us nothing but cost Jesus everything. We get to wear the gear God picks for us to shine His light in the world; discipline, humility, quiet strength, compassion, kindness. These are what allow us to weather the storms of life. But without the baselayer of love, they’re nothing.
Love softens hard hearts. Love speaks truth. Love walks alongside. Love listens. Love goes above and beyond expectations. Love opens the door. Love protects. Love keeps you alive.
Challenge
- What can you do to remember to put on love first thing each day?
- Ephesians 6 discusses other garments for the believer to wear. What do you wear as your “armor”?
By Tim Herset | Kalispell, MT