“ Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.” –Romans 13:14
As the hustle and bustle of the new school year surrounds us in a whirlwind of magnificent activity and appointments. All of these things tugging at our sleeves, requiring time, energy, and sometimes (what we call at our house) dividing and conquering. Mom goes one way with kids and dad goes the other way with the other kids! After a summer of spending time together and time with family we are thrust into this rush of hurry and into a season of long hours as we try to cram it all in.
If any of this sounds like you, rest assured that you are not alone! May I encourage you today that first of all, you aren’t alone, and second that we stand together in the grace of God, to give us strength, yes, but also to give us peace, and wisdom.
In today’s world we are surrounded by name brands. Who are you wearing? Tommy, Ralph, Abercrombie & Fitch? The list goes on, and there’s nothing wrong with sporting these clothing lines! But in the midst of what we wear physically, we also wear clothes spiritually. So what or who are YOU wearing spiritually? Frustration, frazzled, greed, scattered, anger…this list could go on too. But this is where we find ourselves when the season changes. When our lives call for schedule changes and time shifts. For earlier bed times, and for dinners surrounded by sports meets and homework.
In times like these we need to make sure that we place God on the front lines! While writing to the Lord, the Psalmist reminds us, “You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.” (Psalm 139:5) God needs to be our bookends on every day we open our eyes and take on a new day. He goes before us and He comes behind. We are surrounded by His presence, and there is where we find the peace and wisdom. To remember His presence, and to remind ourselves to get properly clothed each day with the clothes HE gives.
So I end with His clothing line…the armor of God. To be put on each day, each step, each moment we are blessed to represent Him on this earth. I have been playing around this summer with sketching scripture and I drew a part of the volleyball team’s key verse for the season…
As challenging as it can be, remember His presence, put up Psalm 139:5 on the mirror to remind yourself each time you’re in the bathroom that He is surrounding you. Tape Ephesians 6:10-18 to the refrigerator so you are constantly reminded of the clothing line we are blessed to have access to. Peace be with you as we start the school year!